Page 12 - AAA MARCH-APRIL 2012 Online Magazine

FEATURE ENGINES
Geared up for
Improvement
The aircraft engine world is being changed dramatically
by demands from operators for better efficiency. We
ask the key players what they are seeing, doing, and
planning for the next few years.
40,000
Total Trent
It is estimated that as you read
this 40,000 passengers are
flying on a Trent 700 powered
A330. On average a Trent 700
powered A330 takes-off or
lands somewhere in the world
once every 40 seconds.
12 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS MARCH / APRIL 2012
weight, greater burn efficiency – and state
of the art MRO. According to Jim Sheard,
Rolls-Royce’s Senior Vice President,
Customer Strategy & Marketing, making
an engine more efficient is a continuous
process – so we are unlikely to see a
great leap forward like the one Frank
Whittle managed back in 1941.
PLENTY OF INDUSTRY PLAYERS ARE “We pursue continuous improvement
aware that our business is at a critical across all our engine technologies to
point, and are not shy about saying so. minimise lifetime engine running costs
Norwegian Air Shuttle supremo Bjoern for airline customers,” explains Sheard.
Kjos has been quoted as saying we will He claims the Trent XWB is 16% more
definitely see more airline collapses in efficient than the first-generation
Europe this year. Closer to home, Rex Trents originally fitted back in 1995.
Airlines supremo Lim Kim Hai claimed He cites improvements in the overall
that: “ . . the airline environment pressure ratio (35%) and better internal
worldwide is becoming toxic.” According aerodynamics that result in fewer blades
to Kjos, high costs and old planes are a and an overall lower weight, per pound of
dangerous mix – and one that pushes thrust through smart design and better
airlines into a tight corner. Both say materials.
operators have just one solution – higher According to Rolls-Royce’s figures,
efficiencies. But how can an operator cut this can save some US$2.6 million per
costs without prejudicing safety, routes aircraft per year compared to first-
and passenger facilities? Simple, say the generation Trent engines. No wonder
engineers. Get better engines. Kjos wants to get over 200 new planes.
“There is no way you can fly an old New technologies such as the hollow
airplane in the future given where fuel titanium wide-chord fan blades add more
prices are going,” asserted Kjos. “Not
to the cost-cutting appeal of the power
buying new planes would be (the) risk,” he units – and keep efficiency up.
said. With the manufacturers promising
Other makers are also looking at new,
that their latest engines give users a advanced materials to help squeeze
realistic 12 to 15% lower fuel burn, that’s the petro-dollar and engine life further
a six-figure saving in most cases. than ever before. According to CFM
International, materials research is
New Tech where the biggest strides are being made
Most people in the propulsion field we in engine efficiency.
spoke to told us improved efficiency is “The lighter weight and higher
a combination of smart design, lower temperature capabilities of materials
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