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foobarquxlast Wednesday at 4:04 AM6 repliesview on HN

0.11 pound per square foot is what is being proposed. That's 108 decibels. Which is between standing next to a lawn mower and standing next to a car horn. I don't see how anyone will tolerate that in practice.

https://www.omnicalculator.com/physics/db


Replies

asdfadsfgfddalast Wednesday at 4:24 AM

It’s not accurate to convert .1 psf to dB because it’s an impulsive shape, not a continuous tone. And human loudness perception depends on how smooth (low frequency) the shape is

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WalterBrightyesterday at 6:01 PM

Back in the 1960s (!) the military would fly supersonic over the town I lived in. I always enjoyed the boom. I would also open the window during a thunderstorm or go sit on the porch because I enjoyed the incredible electric display and the booms.

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m463yesterday at 11:04 PM

It seems like that is the limit. the proposal:

https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/ARM-260115-001_Supersonic_NPRM_...

... also alludes to new designs where the boom doesn't reach the ground. It also talks about primary and secondary booms.

Will folks with these planes eliminate risk of going > .11 psf by having the boom stay off the surface?

27183yesterday at 5:35 PM

My only experience with a sonic boom was in D.C. a few years ago when fighters were scrambled to intercept a learjet which had depressurized and everyone onboard was unconscious. I believe it ultimately crashed somewhere in VA or WV. Anyway, my windows were open and the "blast" was startlingly loud, but not like a detonation. More of a gentler push like a large fireworks explosion. It was both a loud sound and a pressure wave sufficient to move the curtains in the windows. There were emergency services responding all over the city looking for the source of an explosion.

I guess we'll get used to it if that kind of things becomes routine? I'm not sure.

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gedylast Wednesday at 4:23 AM

Because it's not continuous sound in one spot like a leaf blower is.

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LargoLasskhyfvlast Wednesday at 4:41 AM

> That's 108 decibels. > I don't see how anyone will tolerate that in practice.

Oh! Really?

https://earinc.com/gunfire-noise-level-reference-chart/

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