HKUST AAF worked closely with Prof. Xin Zhang's research team at the Aerodynamics, Acoustics and Noise Control Technology Centre (AANTC), together with Prof. Chuntai Zheng's research group at Shenzhen Technology University, to conduct outdoor noise measurements of a DJI T100 drone on 16-17 September 2026. The campaign took place at the Bay Area Zhilian test facility in Pingshan District, Shenzhen, and collected acoustic data under different loading and flight conditions.

AAF provided comprehensive experimental support for measurement preparation, on-site setup and field testing, working with Prof. Zhang's team to complete outdoor acoustic measurements of a drone in the 150 kg class.

The campaign used a distributed data acquisition (DAQ) system connected to a ground microphone array to collect acoustic signals from multiple measurement positions. AAF and Prof. Zhang's team jointly deployed the field measurement system, integrating the acquisition equipment with the array to record sound during the drone flights. These recordings will be used to compare drone noise under different loading and operating conditions.

The DJI T100 measurements form part of Prof. Zhang's team's ongoing environmental noise measurement programme for low-altitude aircraft. In recent years, the team has conducted multiple campaigns involving drones and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at locations in mainland China and Hong Kong, and the programme will continue to expand to additional aircraft types and operating conditions.

The measurements form part of both a research project on environmental noise in the low-altitude economy supported by Hong Kong's Environment and Conservation Fund and Hong Kong's Low-altitude Economy Regulatory Sandbox project, providing an experimental basis for aircraft noise characterisation, sound propagation modelling and evidence-based technical recommendations.

Building on the field measurements, the research team will analyse the acoustic recordings to support noise assessments of operating scenarios relevant to the Regulatory Sandbox, including aircraft noise emissions and acoustic impacts along flight routes and around take-off and landing sites. Prof. Zhang's team also actively participates in research and the development of environmental noise standards for low-altitude aircraft. The measurement data and subsequent research findings will provide experimental evidence and technical support for future noise measurement procedures, assessment methods and management standards.