Sally Shore
Ultra Electronics has announced its UltraQuiet cabin will be available as a retrofit to Saab 340A and B regional turboprop.
The retrofit would reduce overall cabin noise by 8dB(A) and propeller tone noise by over 20dB(A), bringing cabin noise to a level similar to that experienced on regional jets.
"For a small investment, 340A and B operators can deliver the benefits of a quieter cabin environment without having to re-equip their fleet," says Rob McDonald, Ultra Electronics' head of sales and marketing.
Saab Aircraft Leasing is supporting the programme and discussing with Ultra's noise and vibration systems division how Saab 340 customers could finance the investment.
One consideration is a slight increase in an airline's monthly lease, enabling them to spread the cost over a year.
Ultra says its system requires a minimum of aircraft downtime to fit.
Concealed behind cabin trim, UltraQuiet produces cancelling noise while monitoring residual internal noise using microphones and sophisticated digital signal processing software.
Extremes
"Air travellers are no longer prepared to endure the extremes of noise and vibration, which once characterised the regional aircraft industry," says McDonald.
Ultra has been working with Saab aircraft on its active noise control system since 1993, earning the Saab 2000 a reputation of the quietest regional aircraft in the world it claims.
Ultra Electronics is demonstrating its full range of UltraQuiet products during Farnborough at Hall 4, Stand 13.
Source: Flight Daily News
