Environmental Factors Affecting the Installation and Operation of Gas Turbine Engines In Agricultural Aircraft

The operational and economic environments associated with agricultural aircraft have dictated several changes to basic turbine engine installation procedures. As the ingestion of chemicals can cause rapid distress in the engine hot section, intake systems are proposed. Aircraft missions are analyzed, and the effect of high cycle time on major rotating components explained. In addition, with jet fuel seldom available at remote fields, alternates such as diesel and gasoline - together with their limitations - are dealt with. Operational data is reviewed, recent studies and developments outlined, and the future of the gas turbine engine in agricultural aircraft discussed.