How Boeing reduced noise in the 777X

A huge part of Boeing’s commitment to improving the aviation industry revolves around giving passengers the very best experience. As such, all its commercial airlines and business jets undergo rigorous testing to ensure the comfort and safety of everyone who rides them.

Today, Captain Alexis Fecteau explains how Boeing reduced the noise of the 777X for its passengers by redesigning the aircraft’s window.

The design and development of the 777X window panels took place mostly in one of Boeing’s high-tech noise testing facilities in Seattle, Washington. Captain Alexis Fecteau mentions that the project was done under the supervision of Boeing’s test and design engineers. The new panel design’s primary purpose is to make engine and outside noise as minimal as possible for future passengers of the 777X. The anechoic chamber was the site for testing as it eliminates almost all other sounds for the purpose of the test.

The procedure involved the use of microphones, which were situated around a single simulated passenger. The said passenger would hear the sounds via the microphones. Accelerometers were also placed on the window panel itself to record the amount of vibration. What the microphones and accelerometers picked up were used as noise and vibration data by the engineers on the project.

Captain Alexis Fecteau notes that the resulting data helped engineers take away most of the shade rattling and greatly minimized noise levels, especially for passengers at the window seat.

Professional pilot and engineer Captain Alexis Fecteau is the Director of Marketing for Boeing Business Jets. He has years of experience in the aviation industry. Visit this blog for more Boeing-related reads.