Honeywell's AS900 turbofan is expected to receive US type certification next month following the completion of critical bird ingestion and blade-out tests at its San Tan site in Arizona.
The timetable also depends on the successful completion of a 150h US Federal Aviation Administration endurance test, which is roughly one-third complete, says Honeywell. First production AS907 engines for Bombardier's Continental business jet will start down the Phoenix assembly line in July, with initial deliveries by "year end", says Honeywell engines vice-president and general manager Mike Redenbaugh.
The engine passed the bird tests by generating 75% power after ingesting two 0.68kg (1.5lb) birds, as well as demonstrating operability and handling characteristics including a simulated go-around. A further test, in which a 1.85kg chicken was shot into the engine, resulted in a 50% thrust loss and caused the loss of two stator vanes "as expected", says the company. The large bird test also knocked out a low-pressure bleed tube, though Honeywell says this was not a production-standard unit and further tests show it will "withstand the impact".
The blade-out test involved the release of a blade at 10,200rpm, or 103% fan speed, and the engine was safely shut down 3.9s beyond the 15s period required by the FAA to demonstrate safe hands-off operation after the failure. All tests were conducted on fully-compliant production standard block 2 engines incorporating durability and maintainability improvements to the turbine shrouds and blades. The decision to upgrade to block 2 delayed engine certification from September 2001 to early 2002, with re-organisation of the test effort further delaying it to June.
Source: Flight International
