>>1861156I watched an MD500 with a NOTAR, the noise management from the turbine and blades was so impressive that it was almost unbelievable. The harmonic resonance from the air hitting buildings and vibrating the walls was louder than the actual helicopter itself. I thought it was some aural illusion until I heard some piece of shit Lycoming powered mooney ten thousand miles away, which was exactly as loud as expected.
The VEdeneyev is in a unique situation, because it fulfills the right niche for aerobatics, by providing a lot of torque with low prop speed. And the sound is fine. But otherwise aviation piston engines are just concessions to logistics. With the exception of the M14p They don't inspire any awe or emotion, not like a motorcycle or car. They just make lots of annoying fucking noise right at the limits of supersonic RPMs and the good ones are whichever keep making the noise longer. Anybody should feel glad to get rid of them.
