Aircraft engines generate a lot of noise which causes noise pollution near airports. While modern jet engines have become comparatively quiet, many old aircraft like the B-727, DC-9 and DC-8 are still in service. These aircraft do not meet the newest noise regulations, as the bypass ratio of the engine is too low. In modern engines, a fan is mounted before the actual jet engine, accelerating the airflow around the core engine and cooling the airflow, reducing the noise emissions of the engine. A Hush Kit mixes the exhaust gases of the old engine with the surrounding air, which reduces the noise emissions.
Although hush kits reduce noise emissions of older aircraft, they do not succeed in making these aircraft as quiet as modern aircraft like the A320 or the B737 300-900. Therefore the European Union bans hush kitted aircraft. This caused a dispute between the US and the EU, as it dramatically reduced the chances of selling a used plane with a hush kit.
These particular hushkits had been designed and sold by ABS Partnership, a low-profile, privately held company based in Sparks, Nev. In fact, ABS itself had hired Friedman to double-check the hushkits to make certain they were of top quality and were being installed properly.
Hushkits are installed on airplanes because airplanes make a lot of noise, especially during takeoff and landing.
Questions about the hushkits should only be taken seriously, of course, if Friedman's report turns out to be accurate and fair, and if his own credibility is not challenged.
Hushkits, which act as a mufflers to reduce engine noise on older aircrafts, are seen by the EU as an impediment to its strategy.
Regardless of its intent, however, the outcome of the hushkit ban will be unfortunate: a technology that allows airlines to meet established guidelines is prohibited, and the alternative yields an illegitimate competitive advantage to the home team.
In addition, hushkit manufacturers will see their sales decrease sharply and their investments in research and development for the next generation of hushkits will be wiped out.
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