Aircraft don't need Power, they never have, and probably never will.
Aircraft need Thrust, they always have, and probably always will.
This applies from the Wright Flyer through to the Airbus A380.
Take a look at Page 1 or 2 of any Private Pilot's Theory of Flight text-book, the 4 basic forces are shown, Thrust, Lift, Drag, and Weight. Power does not rate a mention.
Piston engines produce Power DIRECTLY, applying torque to the propeller enabling the propeller to produce Thrust, what the aircraft needs.
Jet engines produce Thrust DIRECTLY, and without any added complication of conversion, is what the aircraft needs.
In both types of engines, there's a great deal of Power needed internally to drive the engine, but this power is not available for aircraft performance.
Power = Force (Thrust) X Velicity (TAS).
For the piston engine then, Thrust = Power divided by TAS. As Speed increases, Thrust decreases.
For the Jet engine, Thrust is produced directly, but if interested, Power = Thrust X TAS. As speed increases, Power increases (but who cares, aircraft don't need Power).
For the jet engine then, and with ONE exception, no-one gives a damn about the Power produced, it's academic.
The exception is Rate of Climb. All aircraft's Climb Rate depends upon excess Power available. For the jet, Power, and excess Power increase as the aircraft fly at higher speeds, with excess Power reducing at very high speed as Drag builds up, and the Power Required increases. That's why jet aircraft Climb at very high speed, typically at, and sometimes above, normal cruising speed. For the same reason in REVERSE, best Climb speed for a piston aircraft is somewhat below cruising speed.
All of this also explains why 'prop' aircraft generally have superior Takeoff performance (High low speed Thrust) with modest cruise performance, whilst their jet cousins experience have inferior Takeoff performance, but superior cruise performance.
To drive the point home, a jet at full thrust held on the brakes at zero speed is producing Zero (useable) Power. A piston aircraft in the same circumstances is producing Maximum Power on the brakes.
If you get the
Thrust of my argument, it will add much
Power to your understanding.
Regards,
Old Smokey