Method of controlling a group of engines, and an aircraft

An aircraft having a group of engines developing a necessary power (Wnec) to drive a rotor, the group of engines being provided with at least one electrical member connected to electrical storage means and with a first number n of fuel burning engines greater than or equal to two, the electrical member being capable of developing a maximum power (Welec—max) in motor mode, wherein the aircraft includes a non-transitory processor unit connected to the engines and to the electrical member, the processor unit being connected to determination means for determining the necessary power, the processor unit executing stored instructions in order to implement resting a first engine of the group of engines, and accelerating a second number n−1 of engines not at rest of the group of engines, the second number being equal to the first number n minus one in order to develop at most a threshold power with the group of engines, the threshold power (MCPn-1) being reached when each engine of the second number of engines not at rest is developing the continuous power (MCP);

• and
• causing the electrical member to operate in motor mode if the processor unit finds that the main condition is satisfied when causing the electrical member to operate in motor mode simultaneously with the second number of engines, the electrical member operating temporarily in electricity generator mode when the storage means are discharged.

A method of controlling a group of engines of an aircraft developing a necessary power (Wnec) for driving a rotor, the group of engines being provided with at least one electrical member connected to electrical energy storage means and a first number (n) of fuel-burning engines greater than or equal to two, each of the engines being capable of developing a continuous power (MCP) without limitation on duration during a continuous rating, the electrical member being capable of developing a maximum power (Welec—max) in motor mode, wherein a non-transitory processor unit executes stored instructions for evaluating a main condition in which the group of engines can develop the necessary power while resting a first engine of the group of engines, and when the main condition is satisfied, for:

• resting the first engine, and accelerating a second number (n−1) of engines with each engine of the second number of engines developing the same power, the second number of engines comprising the engines of the group of engines not at rest, the second number being equal to the first number (n) minus one in order to develop at most a threshold power with the group of engines, the threshold power (MCPn-1) being reached when each engine of the second number of engines not at rest is developing the continuous power (MCP);
• and
• causing the electrical member to operate in motor mode if the processor unit finds that the main condition is satisfied when causing the electrical member to operate in motor mode simultaneously with the second number of engines, the electrical member operating temporarily in electricity generator mode when the storage means are discharged.