Russia approves the TPE331 for An-38 use
THE RUSSIAN Interstate Registry's Aviation Committee has approved the AlliedSignal TPE331-14GR/HR turbo- prop for the Antonov An-38, clearing the way for certification of the 26-passenger twin-turboprop with the US engine in early 1997.
The An-38 is undergoing certification test-flights with the US TPE331. The Russian RKBM/Rybinsk TVD-1500 turboprop version has been grounded through lack of funds.
"More than 50% of the scheduled certification test-flights for the An-38 have been completed with our TPE331 engines and the full flight-test programme on the An-38 should be completed by the end of 1996," says AlliedSignal commercial propulsion engines vice president Dominique Hedon.
Test flights began in early 1995 and 450 flights totalling more than 540h have been completed on the first aircraft.
Source: Flight International
