POWERPLANT 2 HISTORY, INTRODUCTION,

GAS TURBINE ENGINE TYPES, AND OPERATION

CONTENT
ADVANTAGES OF GAS
TURBINE ENGINES
• Power-to-weight ratio. Turbine engines have a higher power-to-weight ratio than reciprocating
engines. An example of this is the T55-L-l11. It weighs approximately 650 pounds and delivers 3, 750
shaft horsepower. The power-to-weight ratio for this engine is 5.60 shp per pound, where the average
reciprocating engine has a power-to-weight ratio of approximately .67 shp per pound. 
• Less maintenance. Maintenance per hour of operation is especially important in military operations.
Turbine engines require less maintenance per flying hour than reciprocating engines generally do. This
advantage gives greater aircraft availability and lower maintenance hour to flying hour ratio. The turbine
engine also has fewer moving parts than a reciprocating engine; this is also an advantage over the
reciprocating engine. 
• Less drag. Because of the design, the turbine engine has a smaller frontal area than the reciprocating
engine. A reciprocating engine requires a large frontal area which causes a great deal of drag on the
aircraft. Turbine engines are more streamlined in design, causing less drag. 
• Cold weather starting. The turbine engine does not require any oil dilution or preheating of the engine
before starting. Also, once started, the reciprocating engine takes a long time to warm up to operating
temperatures, whereas the turbine engine starts readily and is up to operating temperature
immediately. 
• Low oil consumption. The turbine engine, in general, has a lower rate of oil consumption than the
reciprocating engine. The turbine engine does not require the oil reservoir capacity to be as large as the
reciprocating engine's; because of this, a weight and economy factor is an additional advantage. 
DISADVANTAG
ES OF GAS
TURBINE
ENGINES
• Foreign object damage. One of the major problems faced by the turbine engine is foreign
object damage (FOD). A turbine engine requires tremendous quantities of air. This air is
sucked into the engine at extremely high velocities, and it will draw up anything that comes
near the inlet area. The turbine engines used in Army aircraft are fitted with filters around
the engine inlet to prevent foreign objects from entering the engine and damaging the
compressor vanes. However, even with this precaution, FOD is still a menace to turbine
engine operation.
• High temperatures. In the combustion chamber, the temperature is raised to about 3, 500°
F. in the hottest part of the flame. Because this temperature is above the melting point of
most metals, proper cooling and flame dilution must be always employed to Ensure that the
engine is not damaged.
• Slow acceleration. The acceleration rate of a turbine engine is very slow in comparison with
that of a reciprocating engine. The pilot must be aware of the time lag in the turbine engine
acceleration between the instant when power is requested and when power is available.
• Cost. The initial cost of a turbine engine is very high when compared to the cost of a
reciprocating engine. For example, the T53-L-13B engine costs about $63,000, and the cost
of a reciprocating engine of approximately the same horsepower is $20,000.
Historical points
History
History
History
History
History
History
JET PROPULSION PRINCIPLE
TYPES OF JET
PROPULSION
GAS TURBINE ENGINES
An old Turbojet Engine
Turboprop Engines
BASIC COMPONENTS
•TURBOPROP AIRCRAFT
•TURBOPROP AIRCRAFT
Advantages of
Turboprop
Engines
•These engines have low weight than turbojet engines due to that it performs
good during takeoff.
•This engine has more efficiency.
•It provides more output power than a jet engine.
•The turboprop airplane has capability to land on non-concrete and shorter
runways.
•A turboprop has low cost than a turbojet engine.
•These engines burn less fuel.
•It has more reliability due to less moving parts.
•It has a low maintenance cost.
•A turboprop engine is more efficient than a turbofan engine at a flight speed
less than 725 km/h.
•It has unwavering mechanical property due to few moving parts.
•It has a simple operation.
Disadvantages
of Turboprop
Engines
•These engines have low cruising speed.
•These types of engines can’t fly at high altitudes.
•The slower speed of this engine makes the flight time
longer.
•These engines are not best for long-distance travel.
•At high altitudes, the propeller loses efficiency.
•It has a high vibration level which makes the passengers
uncomfortable.
•Due to the working height, climatic turbulence on the road
can cause problems and additional inconvenience for
travelers.
TURBOSHAFT
 Considered as a variant of a jet engine that has been
optimized to produce shaft power to drive machinery instead
of producing thrust. Turboshaft engines are most used in
applications that require a small, but powerful, light weight
engine, inclusive of helicopters and auxiliary power units.
TURBOFAN
UNDUCTED FAN