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In-flight noise cancelling

 A quiet ride for everyone
  (-1)
(-1) 		  [vote for,
against]

I'm sure that we've all seen the ads for Bose noise-cancelling headphones in in-flight magazines. I've been tempted many times to spend $300 on them; I probably would have if they actually had them on board (hey, there's another idea... in-flight duty-free shops).

Why not apply the same technology to the entire cabin? Every 5 rows or so, an array of microphones would sample the ambient noise in that part of the cabin, and speakers play the harmonic required to cancel the engine noise. Everyone would arrive more refreshed, less grumpy and a lot more likely to fly with the noise-cancelling airline the next time.

If the microphone and speaker arrays have to be installed in each row in order to be effective, there could be an optional "passenger cancelling switch" that lets you cancel out (or at least subdue) annoying chatter from your neighbor.

—Fester, May 26 2003

[link]






       Would turn a hijacking into one of the most frustrating experiences for the hijackers!   

       [ + ]
—joker_of_the_deck, May 26 2003
   

       Hijacker: "Nobody move! We are the People's Freedom Army of Something Or Other, and we are taking over this aircraft! Soon, your government will be receiving our demands - namely, the release of our revolutionary brothers and sisters, and the immediate installation of custard-filled speed bumps in all major US cities! If they do not agree to these demands, we will have no choice but to -"   

       Passenger: (Turns off PCS) "Sorry, did you say something?"
—friendlyfire, May 26 2003
   

       kinda trampled all over my line there ["friendly"fire] ;)
—joker_of_the_deck, May 26 2003
   

       Sorry, Joker - did you say something? ;-)
—friendlyfire, May 26 2003
   

       'scuze me, what? What are you two on about?
—thumbwax, May 26 2003
   

       I missed it too. My speakers are on the blink.
—FloridaManatee, May 26 2003
   

       Great for wailing infants.
—oatcake, May 26 2003
   

       It couldn't possibly work. Actice noise-cancellation works by introducing a sound signal precisely countering the noise *within a very small area*. A signal which eliminates the noise in your ears for you might actually increase it for your neighbour... or even yourself if you move your head. That's why you never hear of noise-cancelling speakers.
—danilom, May 19 2004
   

       what [danilom] said, [MFD] - magic.
—neilp, May 19 2004
   
      
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