Which would be considered to be the better design over-all? One huge jet engine, or two smaller ones of the same design?

I know jets are not measured in the same way, but to give an analogy with normal piston engines, I would be asking: is 500cc single-cylinder, or two 250cc cylinders the better design?

I know the answer to thatL 2 x 250cc is best... but wondering if it holds true for jet engines also?

There is no one answer to this question. The efficiency of the number of jet engines, or of any type of engine, would depend on the characteristics of the aircraft and the engine(s) itself i.e. the fuel consumption rate, power output from the engines, weight, load capacity of the aircraft etc.

However in aviation, the over-all better design of an aircraft does not solely depend on the efficiency of the engine(s). Better design of aircraft is more influenced by reliability. If an aircraft has multiple engines, each engine and its fuel source will be independent to the other engines, in case some engines konk-out.

Your answer is right on . Ive flown prop, and I've flown multi. Jet the b-47 jet bomber . Had three , J-47 jet engines on each wing. each had same power as the other5 did . IT was a wonderful bird:::: SAFE FLYING GOD BLESS :::

Well, firstly, the Jet engine actually burns more fuel at idle at low altitudes like when it's coming n for landing, than it does when it's at 30, 000 feet with full throttle up! That's how efficient they are! Now, with me saying this, we can conclude, that 2 smaller ones means probably more weight on the wings, but also if one jet fails you have other ones. So, it depends on the airplane size, if the wings can hold 'er as I like to say, then it probably better to have 2.

I hope this helps, please rate my answer.

It depends on what kind of plane you want to have, if your going for thrust it would be one big engine, if you agility, you put 2 small engines. With agility your plane will function better and won't have to drag extra tail weight

Flying blue if you flew B-47's you dated yourself. Were you ever in French Morocco?

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