A jet engine's mass depends on its size and thrust class. The GE90 that powers the Boeing 777 weighs 19,300 lb, while its successor, the GE9X that will drive the 777X, weighs 21,200 lb. Middle-weight wide-body engines like the Rolls-Royce RB211-524G/H and the Pratt & Whitney PW4000-94 register 12,540-12,764 lb and 9,420 lb respectively, whereas the GE CF6-50 settles near 8,900 lb. A thrust-to-weight ratio of about 5, typical for large turbofans, can be inverted to reveal bare engine mass from published thrust figures. The GE9X, for example, produces 110,000 lb of thrust and carries a ratio of 5.2, confirming its 21,200 lb dry weight.
Expert behind this article
Jim Goodrich
Jim Goodrich is a pilot, aviation expert and founder of Tsunami Air.
How much does an airplane engine weigh?
Airplane weight varies with the model. Commercial jet engines weight range 3,000 (1,361 kg) to over 10,000 (4,536 kg) pounds. A CFM56-3 weighs 4,300 lb (1,950 kg). A Pratt & Whitney PW4000-94 weighs 9,420 lb (4,273 kg). A GE CF6-50 weighs 8,825-9,047 lb (4,003-4,104 kg). A GE CF6-80 weighs 9,500-9,900 lb (4,309-4,491 kg). A Rolls-Royce Trent XWB weighs 16,600 lb (7,529.6 kg). A GEnx engine weighs 14,000 lb (about 5,600 kg). A GE90-115B tips the scales at approximately 18,500 lb (8,400 kg). A GE9X engine weighs 21,200 lb (9,600 kg). Military and smaller engines are lighter. A General Electric J85 weighs 300 to 500 pounds (136 to 227 kg).
What are jet engine dimensions?
Jet engine dimensions vary. The J85-15 afterburning turbojet engine measures 20.8 in (53 cm) in diameter at the inlet and 112.5 in (286 cm) in length. The basic J85 core is about 17.7 in (45 cm) in diameter and 45.4 in (115 cm) long. Turbofan engines are larger: the General Electric F110 is 55 in (140 cm) in diameter and 181 in (460 cm) long, while the GE9X carries a 134-inch front fan diameter - wider than the fuselage of a Boeing 737.
