Difference between RR/GE/PW aeroplane engines?

Question

Whats the engine difference between a:

Rolls Royce
General Electric
Pratt&Whitney

Mainly RR/GE engines are on offer for major commercial aircrafts such as B747/767/777/787 and A330/340/350/380 etc. but is there really a difference such as price, performance, efficiency, noise and so on?

I can only tell the difference by eye, but thats about it. An RR engine spins anti-clockwise but GE/PW spins clockwise. also, RR's engine shell is longer compared to a GE's, shorter and have a long cone protruding out at the back. And if I'm correct the RR's spin blades are curved (from the front) instead of a straight blade... also the $999.00 RR decal...

But anyway, I dunno why I prefer RR engines...

I would like to thank the BA capt for commenting. but all of the answers are nice so far so i couldnt pick a best answer.

for rohak1212, quite true indeed. but if they are almost the same why dont they merge together, put the technology together and just make 1 engine?

and yes, I speak british english.

I fly singapore airlines often and I noticed they got RR engines in their 777s. I also flew cathay pacific before in their 330-GEs. next time i should bring a decibel reader with.

Answer 1

You greatly oversimplify matters to imply that RR are the only ones with curved fan blades. The General Electric GE90 fan blades have landed in an art museum for their graceful curvature. Three dimensional fluid dynamic analysis tools available to all three manufacturers has allowed all three to arrive at similarly curved fan blades that better control shock wave formation as the blade tips approach sonic velocity.

The salient feature of RR commercial turbofans that hasn't been mentioned is their use of three shafts or 'spools', as opposed to the two-spool architecture of GE and P&W high bypass turbofans. The RR three-spool architecture is somewhat more complex to produce and maintain, naturally, since more bearings and seals are required, but the three spool design allows each spool to spin at a more optimum speed. This gives RR engines a generally acknowledged advantage during climb, while GE engines have superior cruise performance (specifically, lower fuel burn), generally speaking. This is true of the RR Trent series and their predecessors, the RB211 series, as compared with the GE CF6, CFM56, and GE90 series. So generally speaking, airlines choose RR engines for short stage lengths and GE engines for longer-range routes.

Answer 2

I am not sure if there is a definitive answer to your question. The basic principles of the gas turbine engine as designed my Frank Whittle still apply to all three manufacturers. The only difference being - how they apply these principles. Each manufacturer is trying the make their engine the most efficient in all aspects for the end purpose.
This end purpose is mainly dictated by the airframe builder, be it either Airbus or Boeing and the engine manufacturers will do their very best to see their particular engine meets the airframe requirements.
Have a dekko at this site - it may be of some assistance to you.
http://www.airliners.net/discussions/polls/index.main?id=43

Answer 3

Well the Rolls Royce Is the most popular jet engine make. The Real difference between a RR And a Pratt&Whitney is the Pratt&Whitney makes a kind of whining noice when at full throttle as the Rolls Royce Engines are very smooth and do not make the same noise.

thanks

Chris Evans British Airways Pilot 4 Stripes ||||

It Is True, I Should have best answer here. if you dont believe me go on a plane with P&W engines and listen closely.

Answer 4

Basically the difference is the same between a GM, Ford and Chrysler V8 engine. They're made by different companies. That's about all there is to it. Each engine will have slightly different stats for fuel use and power and the like, but essentially they are the same.

I'm guessing by the word "aeroplane" instead of "airplane" that your are likely British, so your Rolls Royce preference is not a big surprise.

Answer 5

aeroplane is the right english spelling of the observe, merely like the unique spelling of aluminum became aluminium. it is barely the version of the queens english and american english.