Engine Performance Question

[av8orDave]

A random question for F-15E experts:

You often hear in the F-14 world about the underwhelming performance of the Pratt TF30 engines, and how the GE F110's on the F-14B and D made it the aircraft it should have always been.

You hear a fair amount of anecdotal stories that the A model was badly underpowered, and that the Bs and Ds flew with a night & day difference to the As due to the extra thrust.

Is there a similar thought in the F-15E world about the 220s vs the 229s? Do pilots complain about the performance of the 220s, or praise the performance of the 229s? Is it less of a storyline than it was with the F-14? Does the 220-engined jet have performance issues or limitations in certain conditions, or is the feeling that the 220 is adequate but just not as powerful as the 229?

Edited July 24, 2023 by davidrbarnette

[strikeeagle]

220 is a great motor for the 15.  The 229 is even better.  Compared to the 100’s, it’s night and day.  Of course the 229 is more powerful.  But I never heard a pilot complain either way. They love to fly the jet “slick” w/out CFT’s.

I think the flight model we have has a bit of overkill, but overall the 220 is fine.

Honestly though, screw what the stick actuator thinks, MX are the ones that have to deal w/it.  And us maintainers will probably say we would take a 229 over the 220, just like we would say GE of Pratt.