I just returned from a trip STL-MCO-STL this past week on WN. Both of the aircraft that I flew on were 733s. The first aircraft's engine noises were very loud and whiny, and you could easily hear the engine starting and spooling up. On the return leg, the aircraft's engines were much quieter and sounded very windy. What would cause such different engine noises on the same type of aircraft and airline? Has Southwest been upgrading their 733 engines?
Thanks for all of your help!
Scaredflyer21
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- flyusairways
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RE: Southwest's 737-300s
Well, the noise from the engines depends on where you are sitting on the aircraft in relation to them. If you are in front of or next to the engines, you are more likely to hear the actual whine of the engines. If you are behind the engines and the wings, you will only hear the engines' exhaust, which makes the "windy" sound. I'm not sure where you were sitting on the aircraft, but it seems like you must have been in front of the engines on one flight, and behind them on the other.
I have a funny story with this one. My family and I would always get plane seats behind the wing on flights, and I always thought the engines sounded very quiet. On one American Boeing 757 flight out of DEN, however, we got seats in front of the engines, and on takeoff, that well-known Rolls-Royce whine scared me half to death! I thought the engines were failing. But, at least now I know better about what noises to expect!
Anyway, hope this information helps!
Cheers,
flyusairways
[Edited 2006-08-07 07:08:38]
I have a funny story with this one. My family and I would always get plane seats behind the wing on flights, and I always thought the engines sounded very quiet. On one American Boeing 757 flight out of DEN, however, we got seats in front of the engines, and on takeoff, that well-known Rolls-Royce whine scared me half to death! I thought the engines were failing. But, at least now I know better about what noises to expect!
Anyway, hope this information helps!
Cheers,
flyusairways
[Edited 2006-08-07 07:08:38]
All nonstop flights are direct, but not all direct flights are nonstop!
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- scaredflyer21
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RE: Southwest's 737-300s
Thanks for the reply Flyusairways! Actually, on the first flight I was sitting about two rows behind the overwing exits, and on the second flight I was about 5 rows behind them. Thanks!
RE: Southwest's 737-300s
It can also have a LOT to do with winds. I noticed this lately- an ERJ sounds very 'airy' if there's funky winds going into the inlets.
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- flyusairways
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RE: Southwest's 737-300s
| Quoting Scaredflyer21 (Reply 2):
Thanks for the reply Flyusairways! |
No problem!
It's amazing what a few rows' difference can do to the noises you hear on a plane. I've noticed on the a319 and a320 that even moving from the leading edge of the wing to the trailing edge of the wing will make it a lot more difficult to hear that distinct cfm-56 hum at idle (which I love
) and that lovely buzzsaw noise at takeoff (which is also music to my ears).[Edited 2006-08-07 07:21:15]
All nonstop flights are direct, but not all direct flights are nonstop!
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- AirWillie6475
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RE: Southwest's 737-300s
737s, especially the newer ones like the 700 version are noisy by design. If you want a quiet plane, you're not going to find it in a 737.
RE: Southwest's 737-300s
| Quoting AirWillie6475 (Reply 5): 737s, especially the newer ones like the 700 version are noisy by design. If you want a quiet plane, you're not going to find it in a 737. |
The NG's are much quieter from the ground viewer's perspective on takeoff.
I live on the 17L/R approach path and the 35L/R takeoff path for AUS and we have tons of WN traffic. The NGs are way quieter on takeoff. Worst is the MD80 of American for pax traffic, and FedEx's DC-10.
Firings, if well done, are good for employee morale.
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- AirWillie6475
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RE: Southwest's 737-300s
| Quoting Scaredflyer21 (Thread starter): What would cause such different engine noises on the same type of aircraft and airline? |
Don't forget wear and tear.
Usually engine bearings make the most "whiny" noises. Maybe one 733 just had an engine overhaul and the other was just a few hours away from needing one.
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