|
 In May 2013, the Aircraft Registry of the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) accepted the Aviadvigatel JSC’s application for certification its advanced PD-14 turbofan engine that has been in development to power the Irkut MC-21 short/medium-range aircraft family and other passenger and cargo planes.
In line with the PD-14 requirements specification, Aviadvigatel developed the certification basis with due account for the AP-33 airworthiness and AP-34 aircraft engine emission regulations. Having received the nod from IAC’s Aircraft Registry, Aviadvigatel launched certification preparations in earnest. The first phase of the certification – the mock-up review commission – is slated for the early fourth quarter of 2013. IAC experts are to be provided with a draft of certification test programmes, a digital engine mock-up and other relevant materials. The next certification phase will be the factory trials of the PD-14.
Meanwhile, the third assembly of the PD-14 technology demonstrator engine was finished on 23 April 2013. It was mounted on an indoor test bench and its integrated tests started to gauge its thrust and emissions and assess the efficiency of the compressor and turbine blade-tip clearance control system.
Then, the engine was installed on an open-air test rig for its acoustic parameters to be gauged. Those tests of the technology demonstrator were unique because it is the third engine assembly that the Perm-based engine designers planned to use for assessing its acoustic parameters at a maximum thrust of 14 t. This will allow an unbiased assessment of the acoustic characteristics before the sound-attenuating system is installed. The technology demonstrator’s acoustic tests involve using the antiturbulence inlet device on Aviadvigatel’s open-air test bench cleared by the Kachestvo (Quality) certification centre specifically for the PD-14 trials. The trials are due to be complete in mid-June.
As is known, the first PD-14 engine’s technology demonstrator was assembled a year ago, and it was started for the first time at Aviadvigatel’s rig on 9 June 2012. Autumn 2012 saw the technology demonstrator pass its tests on the open-air acoustic stand with the use of the antiturbulence inlet device.
At present, manufacture of parts and units for the engine prototype batch is in full swing in the city of Perm and at Aviadvigatel’s partner plants. According to the PD-14 programme manager, Aviadvigatel Designer General Alexander Inozemtsev, the flight tests of a PD-14 prototype on the Il-76LL flying testbed are planned for 2014–15, after which the advanced engine is to be ready for installation and tests on the MC-21.
|
