To: press-release-other4@venus.hq.nasa.gov
Don Nolan-Proxmire
Headquarters, Washington, DC August 3, 1996
(Phone: 202/358-1983)
Lori Rachul
Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, OH
(Phone: 216/433-8806)
RELEASE: 96-157
NASA INITIATES NEW GENERAL AVIATION PROPULSION PROGRAM
NASA has announced a partnership with the FAA and the
U.S. aviation industry for a new program that will address
the critical need to improve affordability and performance of
U.S. light general aviation aircraft propulsion systems.
The General Aviation Propulsion (GAP) program was
established to develop technologies and manufacturing
processes for revolutionary, low-cost, environmentally-
compliant propulsion systems and to flight-demonstrate these
propulsion systems on advanced aircraft. The focus is on the
light general aviation aircraft which have six seats or less.
"New advanced propulsion systems are the key to
tomorrow's affordable, user-friendly general aviation
aircraft," said Leo Burkardt, manager of the GAP program at
the Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, OH. "According to a
NASA Aeronautics Advisory Committee's General Aviation Task
Force Report," Burkardt said," replacing today's outdated
light aircraft propulsion systems is perhaps the most important
factor in helping to revitalize the light aircraft market.
This four-year, technology development program will be
implemented through Cooperative Agreements with U.S. aviation
industry. Two cooperative agreements are expected to be
issued in October 1996.
NASA's GAP program will consist of two parts: the
Intermittent Combustion Engine Element, which will address
the reciprocating engines currently used in light aircraft;
and the Turbine Engine Element, which will address gas
turbines, the type of engines currently used in commercial
jet liners.
The Intermittent Combustion Engine element aims at
reducing engine prices by one half while substantially
improving reliability, maintainability as well as meeting
future emission and noise requirements. These engines will
be significantly more user friendly, with simpler engine
controls, easier starts in cold weather, and reduced cockpit
noise and vibration.
Reducing the price of small turbine engines by a factor
of 10 is the primary goal of the Turbine Engine element.
Today's modern turbine engines are user-friendly and
environmentally compliant.
Modern turbine engines' reliability and smoothness
contribute to aircraft safety. High acquisition costs
(compared to reciprocating engines) have been a major factor
hindering their application in the light aircraft market.
Designing a simpler engine with fewer parts, automated
manufacturing methods and common engine components across a
wide spectrum of applications will help to achieve low costs.
In addition, other vital areas such as cockpit and
airframe technologies are being developed by the
NASA/FAA/Industry Advanced General Aviation Transport
Experiments (AGATE) Consortium.
The GAP program in concert with AGATE will promote U.S.
economic growth by supporting the revitalization of the
general aviation industry.
-end-
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