Volume 5, Number 5     September/October 1997

Aerospace Technology Development

Turbofan-Powered Aircraft Expected to Revive Aviation

ASA HAS PARTNERED WITH THE GENERAL aviation industry in introducing the V-JET II, a turbofan-powered light aircraft designed for future flight testing. It is expected to revolutionize and revitalize general aviation with a safer, smoother, quieter and more affordable light aircraft.

"The V-JET II marks a turning point in general aviation," NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin said when he joined Williams International Chairman Dr. Sam Williams at the 45th Annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) International Fly-In held recently in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to demonstrate the V-JET II. Dr. Williams added, "Our objectives are to develop the quietest and least polluting propulsion system in aviation as well as the lightest weight turbine propulsion system for manned aircraft. We also expect to be able to price these engines low enough to stimulate the rapid expansion of the light aircraft industry in the United States."

Williams provided the aircraft for use in the General Aviation Propulsion (GAP) program. It will demonstrate breakthrough, low-cost turbine-engine propulsion systems for light general aviation aircraft with cruising airspeeds greater than 200 knots.

The V-Jet II, an all-composite, turbofan-powered light aircraft, was designed by Williams International of Walled Lake, Michigan, to demonstrate its new FJX-2 turbofan engine, which is being developed under a General Aviation Propulsion (GAP) program Cooperative Agreement.

Built by Scaled Composites of Mojave, California, and designed by Williams International of Walled Lake, Michigan, the V-Jet II features its new FJX-2 turbofan engine, which is being developed under a GAP Cooperative Agreement. The aircraft will demonstrate the new FJX-2 turbofan engine over a range of flight speeds and altitudes that are expected to be required in future turbofan-powered light aircraft.

"With the new engines being developed in the GAP program, general aviation will take a significant leap forward," said Leo Burkardt, GAP program manager at NASA's Lewis Research Center in Cleveland. "The V-JET II gives us a glimpse at the exciting revolution in light aircraft that the GAP engines will make possible."

The aircraft currently is being powered by two existing low-bypass-ratio, 550-pound-thrust FJX-1 turbofan engines, developed earlier by Williams International. These interim engines will be used to evaluate the aircraft's performance and systems prior to the installation of the FJX-2 engines. Flight tests of the FJX-2 engines will occur by the year 2000.

NASA's GAP program is aimed at revitalizing general aviation by uniting propulsion and airframe manufacturers—and other industries—with government to develop and demonstrate new general aviation propulsion systems. Future aircraft will utilize commercial versions of these revolutionary engines to make future light aircraft safer, smoother, quieter and more affordable.

For more information contact Leo Burkardt at Lewis Research Center.
Call 216/977-7021 E-mail: leo.burkardt@lerc.nasa.gov

Please mention you read about it in Innovation.