The Sukhoi Superjet 100 prototype has moved a step nearer to first flight, following the completion of the first engine run of its PowerJet SaM146 engines.
Sukhoi says the first engine start took place at Sukhoi Civil Aircraft's (SCAC) far-east division at the Komsomolsk-On-Amur Aircraft Manufacturing Association (KnAAPO). It forms part of "the first flight preparation campaign", says the airframer.
"The first successful engine run - is a real milestone in getting the aircraft ready for the first flight," says Sukhoi, but does not say when this is likely to take place. It had been originally scheduled to take place before the end of 2007.
The run followed a series of powerplant and auxiliary power unit tests as well as checks of the major aircraft systems such as fuel, hydraulics, air conditioning, electrical, avionics and fire protection. Sukhoi says that the engine-aircraft systems software interface has been tested at the "Electronic Bird" integration bench at SCAC Design Center in Moscow.
Meanwhile, on 18 February the SaM146 completed the first series of the test campaign aboard the Ilyushin Il-76 flying testbed, which Sukhoi says has confirmed all expected performance objectives essential for the first flight.
- Sukhoi Superjet aircraft profile
Source: FlightGlobal.com
