A combustion chamber and method of operation

A three stage lean burn combustion chamber (28) comprises a primary combustion zone (36), a secondary combustion zone (40) and a tertiary combustion zone (44) . Each of the combustion zones (36,40,44) is supplied with premixed fuel and air by respective fuel and air mixing ducts (76,78,80,92). The primary fuel and air mixing ducts (78,78) comprise first and second radial flow swirlers (60,62). The primary fuel injectors (64,66) inject fuel into the first and second swirlers (60,62). The primary fuel injectors (44,66) and the first and second swirlers (60,62) are arranged such the fuel to air ratio of the fuel and air flowing from the passages (61) of the first swirler (60) into the primary combustion zone (36) is different to the fuel to air ratio of the fuel and air flowing from the passages (65) of the second swirler (62) into the primary combustion zone (36). This produces an axial distribution of fuel in the primary combustion zone (36) which reduces the generation of harmful vibrations in the combustion chamber (28).