The propulsion of future medium and long range subsonic civil aircraft launched before 1990 is discussed. The engines will operate well into the 21st century when natural petroleum sources will dry up. It is forecast that industry will find some means of providing the necessary fuel, which will be similar to current aviation fuels and, even if it has to be manufactured from coal or shale, its price need not exceed 70 cents/USF at 1976 equivalent prices. Hence, lowest possible direct operating costs will continue to be the goal of engine optimization. The predicted long term fuel price is shown to not significantly change the relative importance of weight and specific fuel consumption. Also, the future medium and long range engines will have the same overall pressure ratio and specific thrust. The long term shortage of natural fuel does not improve the position of the heat exchanger cycle. Research should continue to concentrate on weight reduction and component efficiency improvement. The absolute importance in terms of money of first costs and part costs will not change. The long term future of supersonic travel depends, apart from the problem of noise, on the achievement of direct operating costs similar to those of the subsonic competition.


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    Title :

    Some Practical Limitations to Fuel-Conservative Civil Engine Technology


    Contributors:
    P. H. Young (author)

    Publication date :

    1977


    Size :

    21 pages



    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English