# Carrier-launched aircraft: how loud @ 20'?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-launched-aircraft-how-loud-20/502442>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 9, 2009, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-launched-aircraft-how-loud-20/502442 "2009-07-09T11:58:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-launched-aircraft-how-loud-20/502442/1 "2009-07-09T11:58:21Z")

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Aircraft carrier decks in general are notoriously loud places, but a particular few deck personnel get exposed to extraordinarily loud noises. I’m thinking of the folks who prep an aircraft for launch, and then squat on the deck with their head down while the plane runs both engines up to full afterburner just 20 feet or so from their ears.

I’m aware that a certain decibel level [is in fact _fatal_](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2298/can-a-noise-be-loud-enough-to-kill-you), and apart from space shuttle launches, I’m thinking that this (standing a few feet away from a carrier-launched aircraft) is one of the few things that could possibly come close.

So…does anyone have an idea what the decibel level is at this range? Even if not fatal, this kind of acoustic vibration _must_ rattle their bodies, and in particular their delicate lungs. Of course they wear ear protection, but do these people suffer any kind of long-term, cumulative damage to the rest of their bodies from this kind of sound exposure?

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**Author:** ![Kiber](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiber/32/317_2.png) [@Kiber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiber)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-launched-aircraft-how-loud-20/502442/2 "2009-07-09T13:20:54Z")

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Well - this [cite](http://www.f-16.net/news_article1204.html) says the noise can reach 150 dB(A) - which is pretty darn loud. But just short of enough to rupture an ear drum and well short of the 200 level for lung damage referenced in the column.

> [@F16.net](#):
>
> Tactical jet engine noise is one of the loudest sounds in the world, and can reach 150 dB(A) for carrier aircrew standing along the foul line during a catapult launch.

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**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-launched-aircraft-how-loud-20/502442/3 "2009-07-09T14:40:40Z")

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> [@Kiber](#):
>
> Well - this [cite](http://www.f-16.net/news_article1204.html) says the noise can reach 150 dB(A) - which is pretty darn loud. But just short of enough to rupture an ear drum and well short of the 200 level for lung damage referenced in the column.

“Well short” to say the least. Because of the logarithmic nature of decibels (dB), 200 dB is some 100,000 times louder than 150 dB.

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**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-launched-aircraft-how-loud-20/502442/4 "2009-07-09T19:50:47Z")

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But flight deck personnel are required to wear double hearing protection during flight ops. That is, foam or plastic earplugs inserted in the ear canal plus headphones (“Mickey Mouse ears”). This greatly reduces, but doesn’t eliminate, the potentail hearing damage from exposure to the loud noise.