Blade Off, No Problem

Honeywell has successfully performed "blade off" tests on its new AS900 turbofan engine.

All test objectives were achieved and the engine performed as expected, according to Dominique Hedon, commercial propulsion VP for Honeywell Engines & Systems. The AS900 test program is on schedule with more than 2,000 hours of testing completed. FAA certification is expected in spring 2001. Program partners AIDC in Taiwan and Techspace Aero in Belgium are performing accelerated mission testing at their respective facilities.

Unlike most other engines, all AS900s will be delivered in nacelles, complete with all engine-mounted the Bombardier Continental business jet and BAE Systems Avro RJX regional jet.

Honeywell expects to generate more than 10,000 hours of engine testing before the AS900 enters service on the Avro RJX in late 2001. Engine runs have already demonstrated over 8,000 lbs thrust and nearly 100 hours of flight test have been accomplished on the company's Boeing 720 flying testbed.

The AS900 is a 7,000 lbs thrust class engine with a 34.2-in. diameter fan and 4.2 bypass ratio. It is configured with four axial compressor stages, including two variable geometry stators, a single centrifugal compressor and a two-stage high-pressure turbine.

By Paul Proctor