[AR] Re: engine life (was Re: Nozzles for Amateur Solids)
- From: Henry Spencer <hspencer@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Arocket List <arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2018 17:42:18 -0500 (EST)
On Thu, 8 Mar 2018, Edward Wranosky wrote:
Jet engines aren't reliable because they are simpler, they are
reliable because of the billions spent on developing them...
I'm guessing that is due to the sheer number of planes in operation and in
the sky. Just a look at Flight Aware and I wonder where we are getting all
the oil to fuel everything.
Yes, the sheer size of the market justifies a lot of effort in improved
engines -- especially since major airliner purchases often include a
secondary competition for who supplies the engines, with billion-dollar
orders hinging on small differences in fuel economy and reliability
record.
As for what's in the sky... Wikipedia says there are currently about 500
747s in airline service, and the traditional rule of thumb was that
profitable operation of a 747 requires that it be in the air at least 13
hours per day, so even with a bit of allowance for daily variation, that's
maybe 200 747s in the air, minimum, at any randomly chosen moment. To say
nothing of smaller airliners...
Henry
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