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Product Support of the gas turbine has evolved over the past thirty years to provide a comprehensive range of services for the operator. Whilst safety remains paramount, reliability and cost-effectiveness have become integral parts of the support philosophy. The application of electronics to engine systems in conjuction with ground-based computers will improve maintenance techniques and contribute to ensuring customer satisfaction.

Front nozzle thrust augmentation, on lift/cruise engines like the Pegasus, could greatly improve the range and load carrying capacity of Harrier/AV-8B type VTOL aircraft and is essential for supersonic derivations. However its introduction requires several new technologies to be developed for the augmentor itself, for the augmentor and engine control system and to cater for various potentially adverse ground effects and related matters. These are the subject of a number of current research and development programmes which will lead to an engine demonstration of an advanced augmentor.

By testing a large bypass ratio fan engine in an altitude test facility the performance under simulated flight conditions can be measured. Good accuracy of the results demands careful selection and use of pressure transducers and load measuring equipment. Such a test measures thrust under quiescent air conditions. Model tests need to be used to determine the changes in engine flow and thrust coefficients brought about by the influence of the free stream flow.

This is a summary of fuel related problems encountered with fuel systems particularly during the past 5 years. The combined efforts of systems engineers and fuel technologists to overcome them are stressed. Problems associated with chemical impurities such as sulfur and chlorine compounds are discussed and comments made upon the effects of particulate matter and free water. Further problems associated with lubricity of fuels are included and some reference to fuel additives. The effects of some hydrogen treated fuels on synthetic rubber is outlined, also the development of equipment to operate at high fuel temperatures and on a wide range of petroleum distillates.

INDIRECT or liquid-cooled aircraft engines fit into the picture of future aircraft types better than do the direct or air-cooled engines, the authors contend. As reasons for their belief they draw attention to the small frontal area of this type; the heat capacity of the liquid in equalizing temperatures; and greater freedom in cylinder design because large heat-transfer surfaces are unnecessary. Rolls-Royce has been producing liquid-cooled aero engines for 23 yr, they announce, and has concentrated a large staff on installation problems. One of the results of this work, they report, has been the development of the interchangeable powerplant in which the engine-mounting auxiliaries and bulkhead form a complete detachable unit. These units, the authors explain, are interchangeable within 48 hr, and provide interchangeability between air-cooled and liquid-cooled engines.