How loud is a helicopter?
Average noise inside military helicopters has been measured at 97 to 100 dBA, and levels around a UH-60 Black Hawk on the ground reach 105 dB or more in every operating condition. Hazardous levels above 85 dBA can extend more than 100 ft (30 m) from the aircraft.
- Level
- 97–105 dBAA-weighted sound level
- Daily limit
- 4 min 43 s a dayNIOSH, at the loud end
- Versus conversation
- 7,079× energyabout 14.4× as loud
What the numbers mean
How it was measured. Average levels inside four British service helicopters (Gazelle 97, Scout 99.8, Puma 99.9, Lynx 100 dBA) from a review; A-weighted levels of 105 dB or greater at microphone positions around a UH-60 Black Hawk in ground operation.
A review of military noise lists average noise in service helicopters of 97 dBA in the Gazelle, 99.8 dBA in the Scout, 99.9 dBA in the Puma and 100 dBA in the Lynx. Rotor blades, the gearbox and turbine engines all sit directly above the cabin.
Around the outside, a study of the UH-60 Black Hawk during ground operations found 105 dB or greater in all three operating conditions tested, with the greatest risk at the fuelling point near the auxiliary power unit at the left rear. The 85 dBA contour extended beyond 100 ft from the helicopter, reaching neighbouring aircraft.
Hearing protection makes a large difference. Danish air ambulance (Airbus EC135) pilots and physicians, measured with microphones inside their helmet earmuffs, averaged 82 to 83 dB(A) during missions, with peaks up to 128 dB(C).
How long is safe?
NIOSH recommends no more than 4 min 43 s a day at 105 dBA (30 min at 97). OSHA's legal limit is 1 h.
| Level | NIOSH limit (85 dBA, 3 dB rule) | OSHA limit (90 dBA, 5 dB rule) | UK/EU 80 dB(A) action value reached after | UK/EU 85 dB(A) action value reached after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97 dBA | 30 min | 3 h 2 min | 9 min 35 s | 30 min |
| 105 dBA | 4 min 43 s | 1 h | 1 min 31 s | 4 min 48 s |
Times are for a whole day’s exposure, with the rest of the day quiet. The workplace limits were written for adults at work, not for children. Work out a mixed day with the noise dose calculator.
Protecting your hearing
Passengers on sightseeing or offshore flights should always wear the headsets or ear defenders provided. On the ground, stay well clear of a running helicopter; the hazard zone can extend beyond 30 m.
Earplug and earmuff ratings (NRR in the US, SNR in the UK and EU) are lab figures; real-world protection is usually lower. How to read the ratings.
Compared with sounds nearby
Using midpoints of each range. Energy multiplies by 10 every 10 dB; perceived loudness roughly doubles (why).
- Headphones at full volume (80–115 dBA): this has about 2.2× its sound energy and sounds about 1.3× as loud.
- Music festival (95.8–101.4 dBA): this has about 1.7× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Nightclub (94–112.4 dBA): it has about 1.7× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Rock concert (99.8–108 dBA): it has about 1.9× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Normal conversation (55–70 dBA): this has about 7,079× its energy and sounds about 14.4× as loud.
Questions
How loud is it inside a helicopter?
Military helicopter cabins have been measured at 97 to 100 dBA on average; with helmets, air ambulance crews averaged 82 to 83 dB(A) at the ear.
How far away is safe from a helicopter?
Around a Black Hawk on the ground, levels above 85 dBA extended beyond 100 ft (30 m).
Sources
- Impact of noise on hearing in the military, Military Medical Research (2015). Supports: dB_low 97 dBA; up to 100 dBA inside.
the average noise experienced in service helicopters was found to be 97 dBA for 'Gazelle' , 99.8 dBA for the 'Scout' , 99.9 dBA for the 'Puma' and 100 dBA for the 'Lynx'
Checked 2026-11-03. - The Danger Zone for Noise Hazards Around the Black Hawk Helicopter, Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance (Jones et al., 2018), abstract via Europe PMC. Supports: dB_high 105 dB around Black Hawk (A-weighted SPLs per methods).
Measurements reported here show noise levels of 105 dB or greater in all operating conditions.
Checked 2026-11-03. - The Danger Zone for Noise Hazards Around the Black Hawk Helicopter, Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance (Jones et al., 2018), abstract via Europe PMC. Supports: A-weighting.
Microphones were positioned systematically around the helicopter and A-weighted sound pressure levels (SPLs) were computed from the recordings.
Checked 2026-11-03. - The Danger Zone for Noise Hazards Around the Black Hawk Helicopter, Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance (Jones et al., 2018), abstract via Europe PMC. Supports: 85 dBA beyond 100 ft.
sound field contours indicate noise hazard areas (>85 dBA SPL) can extend beyond 100 ft from the helicopter
Checked 2026-11-03. - Noise exposure during prehospital emergency physicians work on Mobile Emergency Care Units and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services, Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine (2017). Supports: 82 to 83 dB(A) under helmets.
Despite the use of hearing-protective equipment, HEMS physicians and pilots are exposed to 82 dB(A) and 83 dB(A) during flight missions.
Checked 2026-11-03. - Noise exposure during prehospital emergency physicians work on Mobile Emergency Care Units and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services, Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine (2017). Supports: peaks 128 dB(C).
The largest noise exposure levels were obtained during HEMS operations with peak values reaching up to 128 dB(C) for both pilots and physicians.
Checked 2026-11-03. - Noise exposure during prehospital emergency physicians work on Mobile Emergency Care Units and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services, Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine (2017). Supports: aircraft type.
The helicopter is an Airbus EC135 P2e helicopter
Checked 2026-11-03.
This page is general information, not medical advice. If you have ringing in your ears, muffled hearing or any change in your hearing, see an audiologist or your doctor.