Many new future sustainable aircraft concepts have (electric) propeller propulsion. However, the noise and vibration generated by propeller propulsion might create discomfort for passengers. In the Clean Sky 2 project ‘ComfDemo’, all factors influencing comfort and discomfort are studied, with the aim to improve comfort experience for eco airplanes. The results show that noise, vibration and seat are the most mentioned factors influencing discomfort. The flights without passengers showed different noise characteristics, which makes test flights with passengers inevitable. Noise certainly needs attention, but anthropometrics as well as for instance elbow-elbow width is greater than the 18” seat width for many passengers.@en

Turboprop aircraft are a useful alternative to reduce CO2 emissions, but they have a higher noise and vibration level compared to turbojets. We investigated how passengers perceived noise and vibration during two turboprop flights in an ATR72.In general, noise as assessed as slightly loud and slightly annoying, but became less noisy and more comfortable over time. Subjects evaluated the vibration as rather comfortable, but the perception of vibration varied for different body areas. Discomfort of vibration decreased. If noise sensitivity is added to these analyses, changes over time largely disappeared showing the complex interaction between characteristics of the person and the environment. In summary, the rather negative evaluation of noise and vibration could be the factors why people decide not to fly with turboprop aircrafts. The development of turboprop aircraft with less noise and vibration remains important so that this more sustainable aircraft type is competitive. @en