Has the AMA or any, established, Agency set a Decibel limit for Model Plane Engine Noise??
Our Club now has a few Giant Scale planes and some are real eardrum busters.

If you have an answer, please provide the source information. The whole thing is becoming a bone of contention in our club and we would like to settle the question of, "What is Too Loud?" before we have a problem with the neighbors.

As I remember, the AMA guidelines are as follows:

96 or 98 db.

This is measured at 9 feet from the plane and about 12" from the ground. Take a measurement in front of the plane, both sides and the rear of the plane.

You also need to remember that different types of engines can sound quieter or louder. A prime example is comparing a 4 stroke to a 2 stroke. Both can have the same db reading, but the 4 stroke will sound quieter.

it will be posted on the ama site.

"The Academy has recommended that 92 dBA measured at 3 meters from the aircraft, downwind from the right, normally the exhaust side, of the engine. The meter should be in line with the cylinder head at a height of approximately one foot and held in a position 70 degrees from the downwind line. The measurement, for consistency, should be performed over a hard surface."

Can you give the link to that reference. I did a search on the AMA site and didn't find a specific. Noise is becoming an issue at our club field and if AMA is lowering the limit from 96 to 92 I'd like to be able to show it to our club at the next meeting.


Thanks

Ben

Thanks for the replies. I started on the AMA Site but could not find specifics that is why I asked for the Source Information. If you can provide something more precise to which I can refer and get an actual print out it would help.

Mark

I am sorry they subbed the 92 db of their field for the 96 db AMA has

I tried a search on the AMA site myself and did not find anything either.
It was from one of the competition rule books, I can not remember which pdf it was and it took some time to find it...
it was:
http://modelaircraft.org/templates/a...book/sound.pdf
but that link has been changed

I would contact them directly to find out what their current rules are.

Thanks, I left a message asking about it on the AMA site, I expect someone monitors that so I will likely hear something.

You might also get quicker response if you post on RCU's forum dedicated to AMA topics. Yup, we've got good coverage right here.