nachiket wrote:SSridhar wrote:
The An-32 is known for excellent hot-and high performance with engines nearly twice as powerful as the ones on the C-295 (5112 hp vs 2645 hp each). The MTOW difference between the two is only 4000kg. So what magic allows the C-295 to fly at 19k ft on one engine while the An-32 has to drop below 8000? I am suspicious of these figures along with the payload considered while arriving at them.
one may also have to consider the age of the engines. Over time the performance degrades and the rated or even spec figures are merely indicative.
I remember when twin engined aircraft regularly ferried over water for long distances and these invariably established a negative rate of climb on the loss of one engine and yet this ferry was regularly done, knowing the risks and potential end game scenarios. I know for a fact that this was ONLY because of degraded engine performance.
these AI-20 series of engines are overhauled in India and in fact that was the prime consideration for the very birth of the AN-32 itself, the deep servicing facilities available incountry and the huge pool of engines available ex stock from the AN-12 fleet. Even the IL-38 has these engines.
one simply cannot expect a 20-30 year old engine to be as sprightly as it was in its youth, no.
where once these engines could hold height at say 20,000 ft, all they are able to do now is to barely hold height at a much lower altitudes.
If one were to compare the performance of two identical helicopters, one built by our very own PSU and the other built by the original french manufacturer let me tell you that the difference in performance is very appreciable and this is for a brand new aircraft.
and ditto is the case for the PSU built dorniers and the original german dornier built dorniers
