Contents
Why does an aircraft engine have general requirements?
Aircraft require thrust to produce enough speed for the wings to provide lift or enough thrust to overcome the weight of the aircraft for vertical takeoff.
How much horsepower does an airplane engine have?
1 Megawatt equals 1341 horsepower. For an aircraft like a Boeing 777 with two GE 90-115B engines each engine produces roughly 23 Megawatt of power during cruise flight with a fully loaded aircraft. This is 30.843 horsepower.
Why are turboprops used in high speed planes?
Because propellers become less efficient as the speed of the aircraft increases, turboprops are used only for low speed aircraft like cargo planes. High speed transports usually use high bypass turbofans because of the high fuel efficiency and high speed capability of turbofans. A variation of the turboprop engine is the turboshaft engine.
How does a propeller engine work in a turboprop engine?
As mentioned on a previous page, propeller engines develop thrust by moving a large mass of air through a small change in velocity. Propellers are very efficient and can use nearly any kind of engine to turn the prop (including humans!). In the turboprop, a gas turbine core is used. How does a turboprop engine work?
Which is a variation of a turboprop engine?
High speed transports usually use high bypass turbofans because of the high fuel efficiency and high speed capability of turbofans. A variation of the turboprop engine is the turboshaft engine.
Which is better a turbojet or a reciprocating engine?
In the matter of takeoff and initial climb performance, the reciprocating engine is superior to the turbojet engine. Turbojet engines are most efficient at high speeds and high altitudes, while propellers are most efficient at slow and medium speeds (propellers become less efficient as the speed of the aircraft increases).