The History of the Rolls-Royce RB211 Turbofan Engine by Philip Ruffles

In the early 1960s, Rolls-Royce commenced development of the Rolls-Royce RB211-22 three-shaft turbofan engine for the Lockheed Tristar. This talk explores the development of the engine and technical difficulties that subsequently led to Rolls-Royce going into receivership in1971. The RB211 received type approval and entered into service in 1972 and the talk outlines the resolution of the many problems encountered when the engine was in service. Subsequently, the RB211-524 variants were developed to power the longer-range Tristar, Boeing B747 and B767 whilst the RB211-535 variants powered the very successful Boeing B757. The RB211 laid the foundations for the very successful family of Trent engines which now power over half of the worlds widebody aircraft. Philip Ruffles joined Rolls-Royce in 1961 as a graduate apprentice. He played a leading role in the development of the RB211-22B engine for the Lockheed TriStar, becoming its Chief engineer in 1977. He then led the development of the RB211-525-D4 for the Boeing 747 and was the driving force behind the development of the Trent engine family. He was appointed Director of Engineering and Technology and a Main Board member of Rolls-Royce plc from 1997 to 2001. On retirement, he became a Non-Executive Director of Domino Printing Sciences plc and Diamond Light Source Ltd and continues to work in a consultancy capacity. He has also served on a number of government bodies including the UK Government Council for Science and Technology. He was appointed Director of Engineering and Technology and a Main Board member of Rolls-Royce plc from 1997 to 2001. On retirement, he became a Non-Executive Director of Domino Printing Sciences plc and Diamond Light Source Ltd and continues to work in a consultancy capacity. He has also served on a number of government bodies including the UK Government Council for Science and Technology. He is a Fellow and former council member of the Royal Society, a former Vice President and council member of the Royal Academy of Engineering, also an Honorary Fellow and former council member of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.