Power is adjusted in a gas turbine engine by

• A. Increasing fuel flow.
• B. Increasing air and fuel flow.
• C. Increasing airflow to the combustion chamber.
• D. Adjusting ambient pressure.

Answer: (B)

Power comes from the rate of energy released in the combustor, which depends on both how much air reaches the combustion chamber and how much fuel is burned. To increase power, you must raise the amount of air that can participate in combustion and supply more fuel so the fuel-air ratio stays appropriate and more energy is produced to drive the turbine. Increasing only the fuel flow without more air can lead to inefficient burning or excessive temperatures, while increasing air flow without adding fuel won’t increase the energy delivered. Ambient pressure adjustments don’t serve as a direct method to raise engine power in normal operation. So, increasing both air and fuel flow provides the correct way to boost power.