"We are not spending government dollars on compressed-air systems for vehicles," he said.

"Now we use a compressed-air system that works like a perfume atomizer, pumping liquid from the bottle and drawing air from the bellows."

Including the energy of the fuel burned in the turbine, the compressed-air system uses about 13,200 B.T.U.'s to produce one kilowatt-hour of electricity.

The most recent problem was an attempt to restart a compressed-air system that is used to power valves that control the flow of cooling water in the plant.

These aircraft all have the 265 kW (355 hp) Vedneyev M14 nine cylinder radial engine as well as the same underlying compressed-air system for engine starting, brakes, undercarriage and flaps.

WSU Extension Energy Program engineers conduct plant assessments and trainings aimed at improving the efficiency of motors, steam and compressed-air systems, and other industrial processes at Northwest manufacturing plants.