Re: A380 ugly?
@Lars,
"Is the noise not more about the number of engines, type and generation than the plane."
I'll try and beat Simon to it!
On take off noise is all about engines.
On landing it's also significantly about the sound the air makes through the speed brakes, flaps, etc. as the aircraft tries to slow down. It'd still be bloody noisy even if the engines were off.
A lot of work has gone into quietening down airframes in landing configuration (flaps down, slats out, gear out) to help this, as well as making quiet engines.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
