The unexpected resurgence of the propellor

[Viv]

For all the ScFi writers prognostications of 21st century transport the ones who predicted the return of the turboprop and the the propellor as the preferred propulsion method for small air liners will be feeling pretty smug I guess.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... civil.html

Also pay attention to the closing arguments of the article were it talks about open rotor technology

Viv

[hinote]

For all the ScFi writers prognostications of 21st century transport the ones who predicted the return of the turboprop and the the propellor as the preferred propulsion method for small air liners will be feeling pretty smug I guess.

Hi Viv:

OTOH look at this development occurring at P&W:

http://www.gizmag.com/pratt--whitneys-g ... osts/9586/

[hinote]

For all the ScFi writers prognostications of 21st century transport the ones who predicted the return of the turboprop and the the propellor as the preferred propulsion method for small air liners will be feeling pretty smug I guess.

Also:

I'm closer than some to the so-called UDF. GE had their flight test operations at Mojave until recently--and you could go out to the flightline and see the project, hung on a big Boeing.

I have a friend who was heavily involved in the UDF, and says the noise issue was what finally killed it. I think turboprops of most configs will have at least some noise issues.

OTOH the fanjets are great for noise control.

[Viv]

Hi Bill

Yes I have also been following the PW geared fan jet as well, tip speed is one of the noise factors it cures along with its advantageous increase in fan diameter, the original UDF tip speeds were a bit scary as I remember.

The biggest achievement will be the gearbox for that project and its spin offs in to other vehicles.

Viv

[GRIM]

Old news for some, and Moral issues aside , isnt this just the ultimate prop driven R/C airplane,

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/07/09/ ... index.html

[Viv]

CFM has made an interesting announcement concerning their engine

http://www.solidworks.com/pages/company/company.html

Viv

[larry cottrill]

Viv-

Man, THAT is a beautiful piece of machinery!

On the other hand: Imagine what the maintenance regimen would be like on something like that!

L Cottrill

[Viv]

Hi Larry

Yes its a thing of beauty but the maintenance is probably no more onerous than any other turbojet set up, the gearbox is probably the largest single point of concern but properly trained and qualified aircraft technicians should be able to handle that with out issue.

Viv

[Viv]

Viv-

Man, THAT is a beautiful piece of machinery!

On the other hand: Imagine what the maintenance regimen would be like on something like that!

L Cottrill

They have put up an answer to that question, about 20k hours for the gearbox,

P&W reluctant to disclose GTF maintenance costs specifics

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... 898/p.html

Viv