do jet engines get more efficient in the rain?

Answer 1

Yes! rain will increase the charge density and total mass of the airflow through the engine. Some military jet engines actually have water injection to increase thrust during takeoff.
The Pratt and Whitney J57 being fitted with this system on a number of aircraft.
It is unlikely that rain will be heavy enough to cause a flameout, although water splashed up from the nosewheel on deeply puddled runways, being sucked into intake can; therefore the pilot would leave the ignitor system on during these conditions and a relight would be almost instantaneous.

Answer 2

The lower the air temperature the better the compression rate and higher the efficiency of the engine. Some modern engines have water injection for take off to increase there power output.
There is of-course the potential for to much water on the inlet suction side that can result in a loss of performance, however the water to air ratio needs to be extremely high and during normal operation this is not an issue. The UK tried in the 1950's to develop a jet sea plane and the in takes needed to be positioned on the top of the plane to overcome the potential water ingress.

Answer 3

Although it is true water injection increases power output, it is not the same as the rain water being ingested by the fan at the inlet of a turbo fan or pure jet engine (assuming a heavy rain). Hence the need for a continous ignition system.

Answer 4

As long as the water is metered into the engine, gasoline, diesel and jet engines are more efficient with a little water added. Since you can't meter a thunderstorm, there is a point where it will become dangerous and cause the engines to flame out. They have continuous ignition source on most turbines to counteract this.

Answer 5

aircraft have 2 magnetos these are like sparkplugs and can keep and engine going during heavy rain although water might evaporate in the engine and keep going but if the combustion chamber is flooded the pilot has to shut down that engine and fuel pipe as there is a chance that fuel could still be pumped iinto the engine and having a flood of avgas
which would just waste fuel and be less efficiany so im saying nope

Answer 6

Tinkicker's got it. The Pegasus engine in the Harrier has water injection to enable full power to be developed during the hover as the engine tends to inhale it's own hot gases & lose power, the water counteracts this. Hover time is limited by the amount of water left!

Answer 7

No they don't. Actually heavy rain can increase the danger of flameout. Three things are needed to keep a jet engine going: fuel, air, and the heat to make them burn. Removing any of the three can cause a flameout.

Answer 8

Yes, it does increase the efficiency...the eary model 707's had water injection for takeoff's

Answer 9

not really. they actually get a tad less efficient, but nothing dangerous, because a jet engine only operates when there's oxygen, and nothing else. if there is rain, then there is less oxygen, but doesn't make the jet go plummeting down to the ground. hope this helps.

Answer 10

Not at all.