VIVAERO Resisting 220 kg of ice, Russian PD-8 aircraft engine passed hail ingestion resistance tests The new PD-8 aircraft engine, developed and manufactured by the United Engine Corporation (UEC) of the Russian Rostec State Corporation, was tested in hailstorm conditions as part of certification tests. The engine demonstrated reliable operation even in this extreme situation. The tests were conducted on an open test bench at the UEC-Saturn plant based in Rybinsk, which has unique equipment. The tests simulated the aircraft's exposure to hailstorms at various altitudes and flight speeds, air temperatures, and engine operating modes, including engine start-up, acceleration, and deceleration. More than three tons of ice pellets with a diameter of 16 mm were produced for the tests. Approximately 2.5 tons of hail were used in preparation for the tests. During the test, the engine received approximately 220 kg of ice from a special four-barrel cannon in 30 seconds. The ice traveled at...
