Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Physiological - Other
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Aircraft; Human Factors; Company Policy
During the initial takeoff roll; after takeoff thrust was set; received a double 'SELCAL' audio from the ACARS indicating the aircraft was out of service. The notification was sent to the wrong aircraft. The volume of the SELCAL notification was so loud and the timing so bad; that it nearly resulted in an aborted takeoff. Company failure to understand that the aircraft is in a critical phase of flight or that the SELCAL audio notification is so loud that it completely disrupts flight deck communications; even startling pilots. The SELCAL audio volume is broadcast at a volume that is most likely loud enough to cause hearing damage. The FAA clearly does not understand that the allowance of this type of audible disruption to the flight deck exceeds and minimizes any other preexisting 'avoidable' sterile flight deck violation. The avionics manufacturer clearly did not do any type of testing or research to understand that the audible is so loud and so completely unnecessary that its current design and operation; disregards the human ear and hearing as being as an important part of human function and hence aviation safety.Remove the SELCAL audio completely and replace it with something that represents a design of which is not similar to that of a rock concert sound system. The redesign needs to respect the sensitivity of the human ear. Expert audiologists need to be consulted on what levels of noise exposure can and will cause hearing damage; such as in this case. The FAA needs to pay attention to design flaws in avionics and investigate this poor design and its continued use as a hearing damaging interruption; rather than concentrating on flight deck distractions that have no merit.
CRJ700 Captain experiences SELCAL chimes during takeoff that nearly lead to a rejected takeoff; due to the high volume and inappropriate timing.