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Sound Power for Drones
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One of the requirements that manufacturers must meet when manufacturing a drone is to indicate the sound power level of the aircraft and not exceed the established limits.
In this article, we will explain what the manufacturer must comply with in each of the drone classes and how the results obtained in the aircraft should be indicated.
In this article, we will explain what the manufacturer must comply with in each of the drone classes and how the results obtained in the aircraft should be indicated.
Sound Power in Class 0 Drones (C0)
Drones with C0 class identification label do not have any requirements to comply with related to sound power level.
Sound Power in Class 1 Drones (C1)
Certified drones with the C1 class label that are not fixed-wing must:
- Have a guaranteed sound power level of:
- 85 dB from the entry into force of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 and its amendments.
- 83 dB from 2 years after the entry into force of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 and its amendments.
- 81 dB from 4 years after the entry into force of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 and its amendments.
- Include an indication of the guaranteed sound power in the aircraft.
- Include in the manufacturer’s instructions the UAS characteristics among which the sound power level will be found.
Sound Power in Class 2 Drones (C2)
Certified drones with the C2 class label that are not fixed-wing must:
- Have a guaranteed sound power level of:
- For drones weighing less than 900 grams:
- 85 dB from the entry into force of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 and its amendments.
- 83 dB from 2 years after the entry into force of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 and its amendments.
- 81 dB from 4 years after the entry into force of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 and its amendments.
- For drones weighing less than 900 grams:
- For drones weighing between 900 and 4000 grams:
- from entry into force: 85 + 18.5 log (m / 900)
- from 2 years after the entry into force: 83 + 18.5 log (m / 900)
- from 4 years after the entry into force: 81 + 18.5 log (m / 900)
- For drones weighing between 900 and 4000 grams:
- Include an indication of the guaranteed sound power in the aircraft.
- Include in the manufacturer’s instructions the UAS characteristics among which the sound power level will be found.
Sound Power in Class 3 Drones (C3)
In the case of drones with the C3 class label, no limit is established for sound power. However, they must comply with:
- Unless it is a fixed-wing, include an indication of the guaranteed sound power in the aircraft.
- Include in the manufacturer’s instructions the UAS characteristics among which the sound power level will be found.
Sound Power in Class 4 Drones (C4)
Drones with C4 class label do not have any requirements to comply with related to sound power level.
Sound Power in Class 5 Drones (C5)
Drones with the C5 class marking must comply with the requirements of drones with the C3 class marking regarding sound power.
Sound Power in Class 6 Drones (C6)
Drones with the C6 class marking must comply with the requirements of drones with the C3 class marking regarding sound power.
Indication of The Guaranteed Sound Power Level
Drones that must include an indication of sound power must do so by indicating the guaranteed acoustic power value composed of the figure in dB, accompanied by the symbol “Lwa” and a pictogram configured as follows:
