The general shape of the pattern is the same for both engines, exhibiting a
distinct lobe at about 45 degrees to the rear of the aircraft that is typical of
low-frequency jet exhaust noise. (This figure is a 2-dimensional
representation of a 3-dimensional directivity pattern). It should be noted
that the noise level changes quite rapidly with angle in the region of the rear
lobes, particularly in the case of the LBPR engine, and that there is a
significant quiet zone directly behind the engine. This means that the noise
levels to the rear of a LBPR engine will be dependent on engine orientation,
both horizontally (side to side) as the aircraft moves down the runway, and
vertically (up and down) as it climbs. The result is that the noise level at a
distant observation point to the rear and side of the runway will vary with
aircraft position along the runway as the angle to the aircraft changes. The
horizontal variation will be greatest for observers close to, and to the side
of, the runway, and will diminish as the observation distance from the
runway increases. This effect will be less evident for a HBPR engine where
the rear lobe is less pronounced.
The characteristics of the directivity pattern of a LBPR jet engine at low (160
Hz) and high (1000 Hz) frequencies are given in Figure 2-6 for a DC-9 with
a hushkitted JT8D-7 engine2, showing that the majority of the noise radiated
to the rear of the aircraft is concentrated at low-frequencies.