Numerical modelling of turbofan engine deterioration as a factor in the airlines fuel conservation

Abstract

The boosting of the fuel efficiency of in-service aircraft is an issue of great commercial and ecological importance. One of the ways to achieve this is by adjusting the flight parameters and flight planning to the particular performance level of every single airplane. Main contributors to the aircraft performance deterioration are the aerodynamic and power plant deterioration. In this paper a mathematical modelling approach for the estimation of the effect of turbofan engine deterioration on passenger aircraft performance is proposed. Based on previous flight models developed by the authors, the present model simulates the deterioration of CFM-56-like turbofans on an Airbus A319-like airplane, and makes possible to compare the performance of airplanes with deteriorated and not deteriorated engines over various flight missions. A representative scenario is explored as an illustration. The model can be further developed to include the aerodynamic deterioration of the aircraft as well as other operational factors.

First published online 29 January 2020

Keyword : aerospace simulation, aircraft propulsion, fuel conservation, turbofan engine deterioration, aircraft performance