Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has shipped the first set of PW307A engines to Dassault Aviation for testing of the new Falcon 7X long-range business jet.
The development powerplants will be used for mechanical interface validation, initial aircraft systems validation and first aircraft ground run.
"These deliveries have been made less than three years after the PW307A programme launch and put us on track to achieve engine certification and first aircraft flight in the spring of 2005," says Catrina MacKenzie, P&WC vice-president PW307 programme.
First engine run of the PW307A Integrated Power Plant System (IPPS) was achieved in December 2002, just 15 months after engine programme launch. The Falcon 7X business jet, with a range of 5,700nm (10,500km), is the longest-range and first three-engine aircraft to be powered by P&WC engines.
Simultaneous
Last month, P&WC flight tested two of the engines, one on each of its two Boeing 720 flying test beds (FTB). On one aircraft, a production-representative powerplant system of the complete left hand PW307A IPPS was mounted on the rear fuselage. The other FTB flew with a PW307A engine mounted on the side of the nose. This was the first time the two Boeing FTBs flew together to test the same engine model simultaneously.
"Flying the representative IPPS allows us to validate the nacelle design with regards to ventilation and cooling in advance of the F7X aircraft's first flight," adds MacKenzie. "It will also provide P&WC with data for validation of the nacelle aero-components and actual powerplant performance and operability.
"Overall flight testing of the PW307A is progressing well, and we are delighted with results." The PW307A has the same basic architecture as the rest of the PW300 family with a number of new features. These include an advanced shock-management fan and powder metal HPT disks for improved high-pressure turbine efficiency.
MARK BURSA
Source: Flight Daily News
