3 Most Popular Engine Makers Used In Passenger Aircraft
A jet engine is a machine that converts energy-rich, liquid fuel into a powerful pushing force called thrust.
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Common knowledge indicates that without an engine, it is almost impossible to fly an aircraft, even if it means travelling from Nairobi to Machakos on a clear-sky day.
A jet engine is a machine that converts energy-rich, liquid fuel into a powerful pushing force called thrust. The thrust from one or more engines pushes a plane forward, forcing air past its scientifically shaped wings to create an upward force called lift that powers it into the sky.
Considering that the engine is the primary source of power and thrust for an aircraft, its optimal performance is highly desirable. Equally, the efficiency of an aircraft relies on its engine characteristics, so aircraft makers, even airlines, don't just pick any jet engine out of the blue.
Normally when making a purchase decision, one would always look at the best, or at least one of the best, market options available. The same logic applies in the aviation industry when aircraft’s airframe builders are looking for the right engine or powerplant assembly for their aircraft.
A Pratt & Whitney engine. /EVERETT HERALD
From one aircraft manufacturer to the next, the performance requirements for aircraft types and models differ, hence the difference in engine requirements. However, despite these variances, most aviation stakeholders agree that there are more notable, ‘superior’ players than others in the business of aircraft engine manufacturing.
Viral Tea takes a look at some of the world's most popular jet engine manufacturers:
Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney, commonly referred to as P&W or PW, is an American aviation company with headquarters in East Hartford, Connecticut, United States (US), having been founded in 1925.
Today, at least 13,000 large commercial engines have installed P&W engines, which power over 25 per cent of the passenger fleet globally. Aircraft powered by these engines include the A220, A320, A330, Embraer E-jet family, Boeing 767, De Havilland Canada (DHC-8) Classics, and Q400 series among others.
One of the company’s popular models is the GFT engine, which is the industry’s only commercially available modern geared propulsion system today. The GFT engine is lightweight compared to other similar engines, it has various technological and aerodynamic advancements.
Some of the other major engine models include the V2500, GP7200, JT8D, JT9D, PW2000, PW6000, and PW4000 families. The Executive One Foxtrot jet which flew First Lady of the United States (US), Dr Jill Biden to Kenya for a three-day visit, features two Pratt and Whitney 2040 engines with a range of 5,500 nautical miles (10,186 kilometres) unrefueled.
General Electric
General Electric, commonly known as GE, is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, and the company was founded in 1892. It supplies engines to the world's leading aircraft manufacturers, including Airbus, Boeing, De Havilland Canada, Embraer, and COMAC.
Some of the aircraft types powered by GE engines include the Boeing 737, 777, 747, 787, A320, A330, and A340, plus all the aircraft powered by engines from joint ventures of the company.
It is worth it to note that national carrier Kenya Airways in 2019 signed a deal with GE which is providing flight operation technology for KQ’s aircraft.
The technology integrates operational data such as flight details, weather forecasts, and navigation. The digital product will enable KQ to monitor its fuel consumption and aircraft operations and therefore bring down fuel and maintenance expenses.
In 2012, the airline had settled on the GEnx-1B engine as GE had designed the engines to provide a base thrust of 70,000 lbs. to power nine of its state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
"The 787 Dreamliner is expected to achieve between 15-17% fuel efficiency over the 767 with this particular engine type. This will enable the 787 to fly further with more passengers and cargo than the 767. It is also designed to deliver a significant reduction in fuel burn and noise," explained former Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Titus Naikuni.
"In addition, the engines are bigger, quieter and more efficient than the Boeing 767 engines, have reduced fuel burn and longer periods on the wing between overhauls. This means the Dreamliner will come with lower maintenance costs and the ability to be flying longer."
Rolls Royce
Rolls-Royce is one of the most successful engineering companies globally. Founded in 1906, the company has its headquarters in London, England, United Kingdom.
Its first successful production of an aircraft engine was in 1914 when it made a piston engine, known as the Eagle, primarily used to power many aircraft during the Second World War.
Today, Rolls-Royce is one of the world’s largest commercial aircraft engine manufacturers and is popularly known for the Trent XWB, 7000, 1000, 900,800, and 500 engines. The Trent engine family has been used to power a wide range of aircraft including the Boeing 777, 787, Airbus A330, A340, A350, and A380 among others.
Further, the company’s Trent engine family has recorded at least 100 million flying hours with more than 13,000 engines in service. Rolls-Royce controls about 18 per cent of the engine market share globally.
A Kenya Airways plane with General Electric engines. /BUSINESS DAILY
