mig3
You asked:
"would conducting every take-off at normal take-off power significantly reduce the engine time between overhauls? Or is it more a theoretical engineering idea that's just become ingrained into airline operating culture?"
No it's not theoretical. Some airlines track the life history of individual engines, so they know how they've been treated and their cost.
But the great experts are the engine manufacturers. Every customer demands a maintenance cost guarantee. The numbers they are quoted depend on, amongst other things, the average derate used. No good using what you call "normal power" and claiming on the maint cost g'tee. It won't wash.
Last edited by Dysag; 29th Mar 2009 at 11:01.