We definitely don't want to upset or scare the pax - it's bad for repeat business!
What we do need to do though, is try and generate power more efficiently, and using the propulsion engines to do that isn't the best way. Turbines are at best about 35% efficient, and with modern developements in fuel cells, it's possible to get efficiencies as high as 55%.
A further problem with using jet engine mounted generators, is that they have to be sized for the peak load expected which makes them bigger than they need to be if only we could manage the loads more effectively.
As Already pointed out, the genny's are mostly running at 30% load, yet the engine is sized for the full power output and could therefor be smaller giving drag benefits and efficiencies.
As I understand it, some aircraft have to maintain an artificially high flight idle during descent purely to keep the generators from stalling them!
Oil is running out, so the quicker we find a way to get our power from something else the better.
Can any of you gents put numbers on the loads you're highlighting? (in kW if you know them).
Thanks all.
