Hailed as the 21st century turboprop, the Q Series represents the latest in aircraft technology. The "Q" designation stands for quiet, and if you've ever flown aboard one of these turboprops you'll know why Bombardier calls this aircraft "The Quiet One."

New models of the Q Series aircraft feature a revolutionary Noise and Vibration Suppression (NVS) system, which makes this aircraft the quietest, most vibration-free turboprop in the sky.

The NVS system attacks noise at its source-airframe vibration caused by pressure pulses from the propeller blades beating against the fuselage. During flight, concealed microphones measure noise levels and propeller vibration and send this information to an onboard computer. This computer continually analyzes the information before sending it to devices called Active Tuned Vibration Absorbers, or ATVAs, which are mounted on the fuselage frames.

The absorbers produce counter vibrations that all but cancel out the original vibrations. The result is a sharp reduction in both cabin vibration and noise, and a remarkable increase in passenger comfort.

In addition to being remarkably quiet, fast and fuel efficient, all Q Series aircraft have decades of experience built into them. And since the Q Series share a common heritage, airlines can benefit from having a mixed fleet with a significant degree of commonality in spares, ground support and pilot operating procedures.

It's no wonder these aircraft remain the ideal choice of leading regional airlines worldwide.

Noise and Vibration Suppression System

What is it?

The Q Series is equipped with the revolutionary new system called NVS that reduces sound and vibration at their sources - even vibrations below the audible threshold. The system works effectively by reducing the vibrations in the fuselage, thus stopping much of the noise from entering the cabin to begin with. The benefit is most dramatic in the seats closest to the arc of the propellers, but is also very noticeable throughout the cabin.

NVS is unique to the Q Series and is the world's first application of this technology in an airliner cabin.

How does it work?

The majority of noise and vibration in a turboprop cabin is caused by the 'pulses' of air that hit the side of the aircraft fuselage, created by the turning of the propeller. This in turn causes the fuselage to vibrate, and transmit both noise and vibration into the cabin.

The NVS system reduces this fuselage vibration through leading edge active control technology.

The diagram below illustrates the peaks of energy created by the air pulses, and the reduction in these peaks through the use of the active control technology.

Harmonic Components of Cabin Noise

During flight, microphones concealed throughout the cabin transmit noise information to a special on-board computer that also receives the propeller speed. The computer continually analyzes this information and signals devices called Active Tuned Vibration Absorbers (ATVAs) mounted on the fuselage frames. The ATVAs then produce out-of-phase counter vibrations, so that the original vibrations are significantly reduced.

The NVS technology, exclusive to the Q Series, is designed and built by Ultra ELECTRONICS.