Prop-Fan Powered Aircraft - An Overview

The propeller is an inherently more fuel efficient device for powering aircraft than is the jet. However, the increased airspeed capacity of jet engine powered aircraft caused the jet to become the primary method of propulsion on newly designed aircraft for the last 25 years. The Prop-Fan is an advanced technology propeller which overcomes the deficiencies of older props, and provides significant fuel burn advantage over the most modern jet engines. As Prop-Fan technology is demonstrated and the airlines retain their eagerness to reduce their fuel costs, they must seriously consider returning to propeller-type propulsion for their new aircraft.