Exterior noise certification of the Airbus A330 MRTT

The military version of Airbus’s A330 passenger jet needs to use civilian airports, where noise restrictions apply. After converting the A330 into the military A330 MRTT, aerodynamic changes required new measurements of noise at approach, to update the noise certification. With the support of Brüel & Kjær, Spain’s Instituto Nacional Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA) conducted the measurements and analysis required.

Challenge

As testing windows are short and fly-over testing expensive, INTA needed to perform noisecertification measurements on the Airbus A330 MRTT on a tight schedule. INTA needed to capture highly accurate data to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification standards, in just one measurement.  

Solution

INTA successfully gathered and processed the data to the standards and methods specified by EASA, and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). They used PULSE data acquisition and analysis systems and microphones from Brüel & Kjær, whose staff assisted INTA personnel during the whole certification process. 

Results

The A330 MRTT is now one more successful Airbus Group aircraft fulfilling the civil certification rules of EASA. Consequently, the A330 MRTT not only has the capabilities of a military aircraft, but also the potential to operate in civil airports in peacetime roles, such as international aid operations.