Noticed it today, rather than a gradual build up of noise you just suddenly hear an airplane like it appeared out of nowhere?
In: Physics
Other have commented about being near the speed of sound. Planes travel that fast, but they are usually not anywhere near their top cruise speed when they are close enough to the ground to be heard loudly. They are still fast though as in 150+ mph fast. They are also loud. Particularly during takeoff. The reason the sound is sometimes sudden is a combination of their speed, which even at low altitude can be as fast as race cars, and how they are maneuvering (turns / climbing out) but what I think is a huge factor is the plane simply flew into your rough line of sight (sound is a bit more bouncy and dynamic that that so that’s why I said rough) and so is suddenly no longer blocked by your surroundings.
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