Williams International hopes to gain type certification for its 3,000lb-thrust (13.3kN) FJ44-3 turbofan in the first quarter of 2004 following the successful start of flight tests on 16 August.
The new engine is the largest Williams-developed turbofan and is outside the thrust band covered by the co-development agreement with Rolls-Royce on the first two members of the family, the FJ44-1 and -2. The FJ44-1 powers the Cessna CJ1, while the FJ44-2 powers the CJ2, Raytheon Premier I and Sino-Swearingen SJ30-2. President and founder Sam Williams says the "relationship will, of course, continue on the other engines". Rolls-Royce has a 15% share of the FJ44-1/2 and makes the turbine rotors, blades and low-pressure turbine shaft.
The new engine is known to incorporate a high-flow, wide-chord, "wide-sweep" fan, as well as a dual channel full-authority digital engine control system. The engine is believed to weigh around 280kg, giving it a thrust-to-weight ratio of more than 5:1. Williams says the engine "met its thrust and aggressive fuel consumption goals on its very first development engine run".
Williams is also developing the 770lb-thrust FJ22 which, as a derivative of the FJX-2 turbofan developed under NASA's General Aviation Propulsion (GAP) effort, is designated the EJ22 for its first use in the Eclipse 500.
Source: Flight International
