3 ms·
When we’re in the realm of aircraft engines, I’d like to imagine continuous rated power isn’t also peak power? Is this not the case?
by TheSpiceIsLife 6y ago
When we’re in the realm of aircraft engines, I’d like to imagine continuous rated power isn’t also peak power?
Is this not the case?
- ashtonkem 6y agoI can’t speak to helicopters, but light aircraft engines tend to run at 80% of peak; peak is only used for takeoff and go around, to my knowledge. (Not a pilot)
- dpe82 6y agoDepends on the aircraft and engine. Some (like my little Rotax 912ULS) has a peak power at which I can only operate at for 1 minute during takeoff. I typically cruise around 70% peak. I believe in Helicopters you're often running at 90%+ max rated power, but on an engine that's derated from its true maximum power.
- slavak 6y agoYour Rotax is limited to 5 continuous min. at 5800 rpm, or a max continuous RPM of 5500. There's no setting at which you are limited to only 1 min.
- dpe82 6y agoAh yes you're correct. I use 1 minute as my personal limit so I don't grow accustomed to running it too hard for too long, but the operator's manual indeed states 5 minutes above 5500. I have a fixed pitch prop, which means I typically can only spin the prop at those speeds during cruise anyhow.
- jaclaz 6y agoGenerally speaking on combustion (piston) engines the max torque (and efficiency) is at revs between 2/3 and 3/4, sometime 4/5 of power peak revs, and in "static" applications (i.e. when you don't have an accelerator that you use continuously) such as aviation but also power generators, hydraulic loaders and excavators, etc. they normally are operated (continuously) at those levels range (around max torque).