Design Features of a New Commuter Turboprop Engine

This paper reviews the requirements for the short range airline turbopropeller engine for the new market conditions of deregulation with high fuel costs. Airframe size ranges to be covered define the engine powers and the economics of operation define design priorities.

A new aircraft engine family, the PWIOO series, is used to illustrate how design choices can be made to meet these requirements. Some of the technologies considered in this process are discussed.

Finally, the future prospects of this sector of the airline business are reviewed, with the changes in the powerplant that will be necessary.