AUGUST 2017 _ http://www.popularmechanics.co.za 31
PRATT & WHITNEY PW4056 ENGINE
The PW4056 is part of a family of high-bypass turbofan engines
developed by aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney.
These engines have been used in commercial aircraft since
1987 and were designed to use Full-Authority Degital Electronic
Control (FADEC). A FADEC system allows an electronic engine
controller to manage all aspects of an aircraft engine’s perfor-
mance. In the case of the PW4000 engines this contributed to
better fuel economy and lower noise and emissions levels.
Some notable commercial aircraft that have been fitted with
PW4000 engines include Airbus and Boeing 747 models. The
company says since the PW4000’s introduction the family of
engines have accumulated more than 120 million flight hours
on commercial aircraft around the world. PMPRATT & WHITNEY, A DIVISION OF UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONSTRATOLAUNCH SPECIFICATIONS
WINGSPAN: 117,34 metres
LENGTH: 72,54 metres
TAIL HEIGHT: 15,24 metres
PROPULSION: 6 x Pratt & Whitney PW4056 engines
MAXIMUM TAKEOFF WEIGHT: 589 670 kilograms
MAXIMUM PAYLOAD WEIGHT: 226 796 kilograms
TWIN-FUSELAGES: Stratolaunch is fitted with two fuselages
including one for the crew and one for the flight data systems.
CENTRE WING: The wing is built to provide lift, stability and
serves as the attachment point for payloads.
ENGINES: The Pratt & Whitney PW4056 engines are predomi-
nantly used in 747 aeroplanes. For the Stratolaunch, six of
these engines are used to provide adequate thrust when
carrying a payload.