Interesting Facts About Aircraft Engines

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The engine of an aircraft is what makes it so powerful, and it is the reason why modern aircraft like the Boeing 777-300s or the Airbus A330 can reach such high speeds. Also referred to as the aero-engine, the engines we equip our aircraft with, such as the F6-80E engine or the GE90-115B engine, are complex and fascinating. Here are a few interesting things you might not know about aero-engines.

First, as one may expect that they do not come at a low cost, aircraft engines can range anywhere from $12 million to $35 million based on size and ability. The wide range in price is due to the fact that there are many types of engines with different capabilities. In fact, some heavy-duty turbine engines weigh upwards of 100 tons, such as those used in power plants that rely on natural gas to generate electricity. In these engines, residual heat can be used to further generate power by boiling water for a secondary steam turbine. Interestingly, some studies have shown that emissions from natural gas and its combustion are much lower than those from coal or oil.

Another important fact to add to your general knowledge about aircraft engines is their frequency of service requirements. Regular engine maintenance is a vital aspect of flight safety, and all engines require checks after a predetermined number of flight cycles. The number ranges based on engine and maintenance type; for example, the CF6-80E engine requires maintenance every 7,300 flight cycles, with additional minor maintenance requirements every 200-400 flight cycles. While most engines are impressively large, the largest in the world is General Electric’s GE90-115B, standing at 3.25 meters across with the ability to generate 115,000 pounds of thrust.

Jet engines function differently from piston engines, as they rely on the burning of air and fuel to power constantly spinning turbine blades which, in turn, power the jet engine. On the other hand, a piston engine burns fuel to move pistons through a four-stroke cycle. Because fuel and air are compressed and ignited in aero-engines, they reach extremely hot temperatures up to 2,552 degrees Fahrenheit.

As engines are extremely complex, it is unsurprising that performing maintenance is not a small task; however, it may come as a surprise to learn that engines are fully disassembled when they are overhauled. Comprising over 40,000 parts, disassembling an engine can take up to 50 or 60 days. However, once overhaul is completed, a jet engine is as good as new and ready for many more flight cycles. Despite the fact that many planes have twin engines, an aircraft only needs one functioning engine to fly.

Regardless of the engine you purchase, Purchasing Management 360 is equipped to be your parts procurement partner for any engine components you require. As an ASAP Semiconductor owned and operated purchasing platform, we boast access to an inventory of over 2 billion new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find parts from trusted manufacturers on our Approved Vendor List (AVL). Quality is the cornerstone of our operations, so we operate with AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B accreditation, in tandem with a strict No China Sourcing pledge. Find out why our loyal customers rely on us time and time again to provide premium services and products by submitting a Request for Quote today. We only ask that you include as much detail as possible, such as target prices, shipping deadlines, and desired quantities. This allows our team of market experts to best tailor a personalized quotation for your comparisons that fits your specific needs. For further inquiries, call or email us at any time, 24/7x365; we are always available to help!

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1. jacob williams
2. Posted on July 11, 2022
aerospace

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