Propulsion

Democracy and CAE at GKN Driveline CAE is no longer the sole domain of simulation specialists at GKN Driveline. A foundation architecture for handling digital test and simulation data enables wide use of complex CAE by non-specialist product engineers. Read full story

Diesel aircraft coming soon to an airport near you? Recent developments of diesel technology has made the two-stroke, compression ignition engine an interesting option for light aircraft manufacturers. Read full story

Engineers work off extra engine-blade weight Changing from alloy to composite materials for engine fan blades is an identified path to reducing overall engine weight by a significant amount—typically up to 1000 lb. Read full story

Singapore gateway Rolls-Royce's first manufacturing facility outside of the U.K., the new Seletar industrial campus, contains research and training, wide-chord fan blade production, and assembly and test facilities, along with other resources to support the 1000 staff who will work there. Read full story

Reaction Design advances the simulation of soot Engine design engineers can now use simulation tools from Reaction Design to compare how candidate engine designs produce soot relative to each other. Read full story

Flying car makes debut in New York With folding wings to reduce width to garageable status, the Terrafugia Transition Roadable Aircraft fits into the “light sport plane” category and delivers 35 mpg fuel economy on the road. The company claims 100 orders with $10,000 deposits for the $279,000 vehicle. Read full story

XCOR launches its Lynx The demands on a propulsion system designed for suborbital-flight vehicles are not the same as those on propulsion systems for orbital space flight. Read full story

New standard a major milestone for biofuels The aviation industry is now deploying biofuels on commercial flights after years of demonstration test flights, but high costs will keep bookings few and far between for a few more years. Read full story