NASA Investigates How People Respond to Air Taxi Noise

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NASA recently conducted a study to understand how people in different noise environments would respond to the sounds of future air taxis. The Varied Advanced Air Mobility Noise and Geographic Area Response Difference (VANGARD) test involved 359 participants in Los Angeles, New York City, and Dallas-Fort Worth, who listened to simulated aircraft sounds and rated their annoyance levels. Initial results showed that residents living in noisier areas reported being more bothered by the air taxi sounds compared to those in quieter suburban settings.

Why it matters

As advanced air mobility options like air taxis become more prevalent, it's crucial for NASA to understand how people will react to the new aircraft sounds in different noise environments. This information will help guide the design and operation of future air taxis to minimize disruption and ensure they can be safely and effectively integrated into communities.

The details

During the VANGARD test, participants listened to 67 unique sounds simulating various aircraft, including NASA-owned industry concept designs. To ensure unbiased feedback, the research team withheld aircraft manufacturer names and did not show participants images of the aircraft. The results revealed that residents in louder urban areas reported being more bothered by the air taxi sounds than those in quieter suburban settings. Researchers hypothesize that people in noisier environments may be more sensitive to additional noise.

• The VANGARD test was conducted from late August through September 2025.
• A control group of 20 participants listened to the sounds in-person at NASA Langley in June.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The VANGARD team is currently analyzing the data in more detail to better understand the findings and how they can be applied to the design and operation of future advanced air mobility aircraft.