PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Why don't aircraft have a choice of engine size?
Old 8th May 2008 | 02:13
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barit1
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: flyover country USA
yarrayarra points to some valid issues. Turbine engines tend to be less efficient at lower power settings (ie thrust falls off faster than fuel burn).

Thus shutting down an engine or two, and running the others at higher power, can definitely save fuel - especially if you are not in a hurry. It's been done for decades on the P-3 Orion when loitering or low-speed patrolling.
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