Engine

While large all-electric commercial aircraft are likely years away from becoming a reality, aircraft electrification is already underway. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) reports that small-scale electric and hybrid aircraft are currently under development, with small e-aircraft already certified for flight. Several factors are influencing the growing interest in electric and hybrid aircraft.

For over a century Parker Aerospace has been an aerospace industry leader both as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and provider of aftermarket repair, maintenance, and overhaul (MRO) services. Within Parker’s Aerospace Group, Customer Support Operations (CSO) provides centralized support for aftermarket business on behalf of the other eight aerospace divisions.

Modern commercial aircraft rely on powerful turbofan engines to provide the high thrust needed to get airborne and travel long distances economically. Thrust is a result of the engine’s ability to efficiently breath in air, compress it, and burn fuel. This process produces high-temperature pressurized gas that expands through the engine.

As global air traffic continues to grow, the need for cleaner, more efficient airplanes is rising right along with it. In an effort to reduce the global impact of pollution attributable to aviation, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) adopted new CO₂ emissions standards in 2017 for commercial aircraft, requiring new aircraft type designs to meet these standards before delivery.