Engine Responsiveness

the capability of an internal combustion engine to shift rapidly and smoothly from a stable mode of operation at minimum power to maximum power. To a considerable degree, engine responsiveness determines the maneuverability of the vehicle and, consequently, the safety while in motion. For example, in the case of an aircraft that has made an unsuccessful approach for a landing, the better the engine responsiveness, the less the altitude required before circling for a second attempt. The average speed of an automobile in city driving depends on engine responsiveness, as does the traffic capacity of intersections and squares. For piston-type internal combustion engines, the engine response period is 10 sec or less, and for double-flow turbojets, which are extensively used in aviation, it is between 10 and 12 seconds.