Turbofan engine nozzle assembly and method of operating same

A nozzle assembly for a gas turbine aircraft engine, said nozzle assembly comprising:

• a nacelle;
• a core cowl positioned at least partially within said nacelle such that said core cowl and said nacelle are aligned substantially concentrically to each other such that an annular fan bypass duct is defined between said nacelle and said core cowl;
• a first member coupling said nacelle to said core cowl, said first member comprising opposing sidewalls and a first flap hingedly coupled to each of said first member sidewalls;
• a second member opposite said first member and coupling said nacelle to said core cowl, said second member comprising opposing sidewalls and a second flap hingedly coupled to each of said second member sidewalls, wherein said first flaps and said second flaps are selectively positionable between a first operational position and a second operational position to vary a throat area of said fan bypass duct, wherein
• said first flaps of said first member are longer than said second flaps of said second member.

A turbofan engine assembly comprising:

• a core gas turbine engine;
• a nacelle;
• a core cowl positioned at least partially within said nacelle such that said core cowl and said nacelle are aligned substantially concentrically to each other such that an annular fan bypass duct is defined between said nacelle and said core cowl;
• a first member coupling said nacelle to said core cowl, said first member comprising opposing sidewalls and a first flap hingedly coupled to each of said first member sidewalls;
• and
• a second member opposite said first member and coupling said nacelle to said core cowl, said second member comprising opposing sidewalls and a second flap hingedly coupled to each of said second member sidewalls, wherein said first flaps and said second flaps are selectively positionable between a first operational position and a second operational position to vary a throat area of said fan bypass duct, wherein
• wherein said first flap of said first member are longer than said second flap of said second member.