Cleared For Flight Testing This Year

Pratt & Whitney's Geared Turbofan demonstrator engine recently completed Phase II ground tests, and has been cleared for flight testing on Pratt & Whitney's 747SP flying test bed mid-year.

Phase II, which began in April at Pratt & Whitney's advanced test facility in West Palm Beach, FL, focused on engine performance and ground acoustics with the Geared Turbofan engine's flight capable nacelle system. The engine completed 120 hours of testing during Phase II and has logged a total 250 hours since ground testing began in November 2007.

"The ground test program has been a complete success and the Geared Turbofan engine has met or exceeded all performance targets," said Bob Saia, Pratt & Whitney vice president, Next Generation Product Family. "This demonstrator engine has confirmed the laboratory results of our Fan Drive Gear System demonstrating excellent efficiency and operational characteristics. The double-digit reductions in fuel burn, engine noise, environmental emissions and operating costs we've targeted make the Geared Turbofan engine the best solution for the next generation of commercial aircraft."

The Phase II test program included the acoustic measurements of the Geared Turbofan demonstrator engine. The tests measured the ground-level noise characteristics of the engine, which is expected to be 50 percent quieter than today's engines and 20 dB quieter than International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Stage 4 noise regulations. The testing used an array of 32 individual microphones around the engine test stand and 16 sound pressure transducers inside the engine to get accurate data for noise modeling.

"Initial data from the ground acoustic testing show the Geared Turbofan engine is right on target," Saia said. "The ground test noise data will be compiled with flight test measurements taken later this year to validate the Geared Turbofan engine's noise signature. The significantly lower noise of the Geared Turbofan engine is a key benefit to airlines and operators, giving them increased flexibility for landing and takeoff at airports with heavy noise regulations."

Pratt & Whitney will first fly the Geared Turbofan on its Boeing 747 testbed. As ANN reported, Airbus also plans to test-fly the engine later this year on a company-owned A340.

FMI: www.pratt-whitney.com