Hi everyone! I’m Giorgio, from Italy. I hold a BSc and MSc in Aerospace Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Turin, specialising in fluid dynamics. I then completed an MPhil in computational aeroacoustics at the University of Melbourne, running high-fidelity simulations to study airfoil trailing edge thickness effects on the acoustic signature. Outside research, I enjoy reading, photography, running… and flying gliders whenever I can.
Project title: Propeller-Wing Broadband Interaction Noise
Project Partner: Airbus SAS
University: University of Southampton
Supervisors: Professor David Angland and Dr Chaitanya Paruchuri
Briefly, what is your PhD project about?
Co-funded by Airbus at the University of Southampton, my PhD investigates broadband propeller-wing interaction noise at high incidence angles of attack. Using wind tunnel experiments and numerical simulations, I investigate complex aerodynamic and acoustic interactions between propellers and downstream wings to refine analytical predictive models for quieter aircraft.
Why is it important to do this research?
Aircraft noise is a major stressor for airport communities, and psychoacoustic studies show people find aviation noise significantly more annoying than road or rail traffic at identical decibel levels. During takeoff and landing phases—when planes fly low at steep angles—propeller-wing interactions generate disruptive broadband noise. Developing accurate predictive tools enables Airbus to optimise acoustic design early, meeting strict noise targets and securing public acceptance for green aircraft.
What drew you to studying this PhD?
I have long been fascinated by fluid mechanics and aeroacoustics and I have always been driven by a passion for aviation. This project offers a unique opportunity to link fundamental experimental research with computational and numerical modeling on realistic propeller-wing configuration. What drew me most is the direct industrial and societal relevance: working alongside Airbus to tackle community noise pollution, meet strict international acoustic regulations, and improve public acceptance of new aircraft configurations. The interdisciplinary environment of the Sustainable Sound Futures CDT and Southampton’s world-class facilities and international environment made it an ideal fit for my background.
What does a Sustainable Sound Future mean to you?
To me, a Sustainable Sound Future means advancing aviation without compromising public health. By developing advanced noise prediction and mitigation tools, we can eliminate disruptive aircraft noise that impacts sleep and health in airport communities, while enabling next-generation aircraft, commercial drones, and Urban Air Mobility to meet strict noise standards and gain full public acceptance.
What were you doing before joining the CDT?
Before joining the CDT, I completed my Master’s degree at the Polytechnic University of Turin, with a 6-month exchange in the Netherlands for my final experimental project about fluid-surface interactions. Most recently, I spent two years as an MPhil student at the University of Melbourne in Australia, investigating trailing-edge thickness effects on acoustic signatures using high-fidelity 2D Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) run on supercomputers, presenting my findings at the joint CEAS-AIDAA conference.
What do you do on a typical PhD day so far?
As I am just embarking on my PhD journey, a typical day currently consists of building a solid foundation for the project: diving into literature on propeller wake dynamics and interaction noise at high incidence angles, getting familiar with Southampton’s experimental facilities and computational tools, aligning research milestones with my supervisors and Airbus collaborators, and participating in CDT cohort workshops.
Tell us a fun acoustic fact!
I’m a huge fan of airplanes, but human ears definitely aren’t! Decibel for decibel, acoustic studies show that people perceive aviation noise as far more annoying than train or car traffic. Why? During takeoff and landing—when planes fly lowest over our neighborhoods—the wings operate at high incidence angles, forcing the wing to swallow the chaotic, swirling wake of the propeller spinning right in front of it. This complex flow interaction creates a messy “broadband interaction noise” that hits human hearing like an unsettling acoustic signature. By decoding how these vortex-wing collisions work, my research helps build quieter aircraft so nearby communities can become big fans of aviation, too!