What is quieter - an arrival or departure?

Monday September 23 2019

Generally speaking, airplanes are louder during landing than takeoff. The difference can be especially noticeable with commercial jet aircraft when comparing the same aircraft type in the takeoff and landing phase of flight.  Landing aircraft usually overfly the community at lower altitudes as they line up with the runway and prepare to touchdown, bringing them closer to residents on the ground. Configuring the plane for landing requires the pilot to lower the landing gear and wing flaps which enables the airplane to slow down and the wings to generate greater lift. However, the noise generated by the turbulent airflow over the landing gear and flaps also creates substantial noise that can equal or exceed that produced by the jet engines.  The turbulent airflow also increases the drag on the airplane requiring the pilot to increase engine power to maintain a safe descent path to the runway, which also increases noise.