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Thrust-to-Weight Ratio - Propeller-driven aircraft

Description

Thrust-to-weight ratio (TWR) is a dimensionless ratio of thrust to weight of a rocket, jet engine, propeller engine, or a vehicle propelled by such an engine that indicates the performance of the engine or vehicle.
The thrust-to-weight ratio and wing loading are the two most important parameters in determining the performance of an aircraft.
The thrust-to-weight ratio varies continually during a flight. Thrust varies with throttle setting, airspeed, altitude and air temperature. Weight varies with fuel burn and changes of payload. For aircraft, the quoted thrust-to-weight ratio is often the maximum static thrust at sea-level divided by the maximum takeoff weight.
In cruising flight, the thrust-to-weight ratio of an aircraft is the inverse of the lift-to-drag ratio because thrust is equal to drag, and weight is equal to lift.

For propeller-driven aircraft, the thrust-to-weight ratio can be calculated as shown.

Related formulas

Variables

Tthrust (N)
Wweight (N)
ηppropulsive efficiency (dimensionless)
Vtrue airspeed (m/s)
Pengine power (W)