Airtime Blog
3 Key Questions about Helicopter Engine Power Ratings
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To optimize a turboshaft engine’s performance and operational life, it’s essential to manage its power appropriately. That starts with answering “yes” to each of the questions below.
1. ARE YOU COMPLYING WITH THE ROTORCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL?
Helicopter manufacturers provide P&WC with data on various mission profiles. P&WC analyzes this to determine component life and other factors relating to durability, including low cycle fatigue, creep, oxidation and vibration. This information is in turn used to develop the engine limits found in the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM).
“Abiding by the RFM procedures and limits is essential when it comes to managing your helicopter engine’s power and maintaining its performance throughout the entire flight envelope,” says Pat DiRico, P&WC Customer Engineering, Turboshaft Engines.
“Abiding by the RFM procedures and limits is essential when it comes to managing your helicopter engine’s power and maintaining its performance throughout the entire flight envelope,” says Pat DiRico, P&WC Customer Engineering, Turboshaft Engines.
Turboshaft engines are installed on various multi-mission platforms and designed to provide the required power across a wide ambient temperature range. However, each engine has its own predetermined thermal rating that you can find in the RFM.
Pat DiRico, P&WC Customer Engineering, Turboshaft Engines
2. DO YOU KNOW THE ENGINE’S CONTINGENCY RATINGS?
The engine manual includes information on contingency or emergency ratings for a number of key engine parameters, such as speed, temperature and torque.
The RFM also specifies these limits, along with certified contingency ratings in case of a One Engine Inoperative (OEI) situation during a flight.
The RFM also specifies these limits, along with certified contingency ratings in case of a One Engine Inoperative (OEI) situation during a flight.
3. ARE YOU REMAINING WITHIN THE LIMITS?
Knowing your engine’s limits is only half the battle. You also need to make sure you’re staying within them.
“If you go over your helicopter engine’s limits for an extended period of time, it will put extra stress on the hot section components,” notes Pat. “If that continues, it will impact the engine’s performance and operational life.”
“If you go over your helicopter engine’s limits for an extended period of time, it will put extra stress on the hot section components,” notes Pat. “If that continues, it will impact the engine’s performance and operational life.”
The bottom line is that you need to know and respect your engine’s certified limits for two reasons—to maintain its efficiency over time and to keep your operating costs down by not placing excess demands on it.
Pat DiRico, P&WC Customer Engineering, Turboshaft Engines
Learn how P&WC is offering tailored support to helicopter operators in our article Simple Engine Maintenance Solution Reduces Costs and Downtime.