jrh
Well-Known Member
I'm currently in training to fly as SIC on Citation II/V series aircraft. I'm trying to wrap my head around a lot of the technical aspects of turbofan engine operations. I have experience with all kinds of piston engines, but very little turbine experience.
I think I'm understanding the mechanical side of things no problem, such as how the engines are physically put together and overall principles for turbine powerplants. It's more the background of how various limitations are developed.
For instance, power settings for takeoff, climb, and cruise. Under some conditions power will be set at 96% N1, 98% N1, 101% N1, etc. Sure, I can read tables and push the power levers to the appropriate setting, but I have no idea of what's causing the number to be higher or lower under a given situation. If the engine is rated to 104% N1, why can't we push the power to 104% all the time and not worry about it?
Any recommended reading for this sort of information? When learning about aerodynamics, seeing graphs of lift over drag, lift versus power available, etc. really helped me understand the deeper relationships with Vx, Vy, best glide, stall speed, and so on. I'm looking for those kinds of graphs to explain what happens with turbofan engines throughout flight for power output, fuel efficiency, limitations, etc.
Thanks!
I think I'm understanding the mechanical side of things no problem, such as how the engines are physically put together and overall principles for turbine powerplants. It's more the background of how various limitations are developed.
For instance, power settings for takeoff, climb, and cruise. Under some conditions power will be set at 96% N1, 98% N1, 101% N1, etc. Sure, I can read tables and push the power levers to the appropriate setting, but I have no idea of what's causing the number to be higher or lower under a given situation. If the engine is rated to 104% N1, why can't we push the power to 104% all the time and not worry about it?
Any recommended reading for this sort of information? When learning about aerodynamics, seeing graphs of lift over drag, lift versus power available, etc. really helped me understand the deeper relationships with Vx, Vy, best glide, stall speed, and so on. I'm looking for those kinds of graphs to explain what happens with turbofan engines throughout flight for power output, fuel efficiency, limitations, etc.
Thanks!