How to choose between engine variations

[zwan]

Some aircrafts have a ton of engine opinions, but how should I choose between them beside fleet commonality? Can someone explain?

[gazzz0x2z]

Usually, one model is cheaper, the other one drinks less fuel. So, depending on your strategy and you needs, you'll choose one or the other one.

Extreme example : the A140. in current GW3, you have 2 very different options :

• Motor-Sich Al-30, 1220NM, 680kg/h, 8 013 940 $
• Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127A, 1260NM, 570kg/H, 15 189 110 $

The fuel consuption is really different. But the purchasing cost is really different as well. If you are in a quick expansion phase, you'll favor the Motor-sich engines : you'll grow much faster with a limited amount of cash available. Even better : if you can't afford to buy, it will be dirt cheap to lease. OTOH, if you are an established company, needing to replace aging CASA 235/S340, and trying to optimize profitability, then the PW engines are far better on the long term. Assuming you've got enough cash to purchase the planes. Fuel is very costly, in A140's years.

This is an extreme example, though. Most of the time, differences are not impressive, and most players are simply buying the best engine, in most cases.

[zwan]

Usually, one model is cheaper, the other one drinks less fuel. So, depending on your strategy and you needs, you'll choose one or the other one.

Extreme example : the A140. in current GW3, you have 2 very different options :

• Motor-Sich Al-30, 1220NM, 680kg/h, 8 013 940 $
• Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127A, 1260NM, 570kg/H, 15 189 110 $

The fuel consuption is really different. But the purchasing cost is really different as well. If you are in a quick expansion phase, you'll favor the Motor-sich engines : you'll grow much faster with a limited amount of cash available. Even better : if you can't afford to buy, it will be dirt cheap to lease. OTOH, if you are an established company, needing to replace aging CASA 235/S340, and trying to optimize profitability, then the PW engines are far better on the long term. Assuming you've got enough cash to purchase the planes. Fuel is very costly, in A140's years.

This is an extreme example, though. Most of the time, differences are not impressive, and most players are simply buying the best engine, in most cases.

Thanks for the detailed answer!

[freshmore]

I think it's worth saying Engine commonality isn't the biggest issue. Choosing different engines is a minor effect, going from 3 to 4 fleets is far larger. That being said, it does have a small effect and it is worth simplifying your choice. In general there a more efficient engines and slightly cheaper engines and to be honest, often the difference is so small it can come do to a personal preference.

If you were to take B777-200ER's on a RR Engine and then have B777-300ER's with the GE Engine later on, it doesn't make much of a difference, it's perfectly easy to split like that if you build a decent sized fleet.

One place where you could argue there is some interest of simplification is if you plan to operate A320 Family and specifically A340-200/300 aircraft. If you plan on using the A330-200/300 instead because you don't want the 4 engine fuel cost or waiting for the -500/600, this might affect you A320 engine choice.

The A340 uses CFM56 engines, so for a minor benefit, you might choose the CFM56 on your A320's as well. If don't use them you have more free choice to take IAE engines, having said that choosing IAE engines with A340's isn't necessarily a bad idea either. Another example is if you have A320 family and E Jets and you upgrade to the NEO and E-2 you might choose PW on the A320's rather than the LEAP.