Image source: topwar.ru
The new air intake of the PD-14 aircraft engine will significantly save fuel. This saving is approximately 1-2 percent.
This was reported in the press service of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), part of the Rostec State Corporation.
Dmitry Mitin, Head of the PD-8 and PD-14 programs at Voronezh Joint-Stock Aircraft Construction Company (VASO), assessed the importance of the development in this way:
Perhaps such a calculation of economic efficiency is naturally questionable, since the initial cost of a flight per passenger is too high. More precise parameters of the new product will be determined only after testing.
The new air intake is completely made of composite material and does not have the joint that was previously present between the aluminum inlet edge and the fairing of the intake duct. Previously, due to this, there was a disruption in the air flow. Aerodynamic drag and, consequently, fuel consumption increased.
This flaw is completely absent in the new product. There is no usual joint, as it is a monolithic glued structure made of composite material. This significantly reduced aerodynamic losses.
Image source: topwar.ru
For testing and measuring parameters, a prototype of such an air intake will be installed on the aircraft engine of a flying laboratory based on the IL-76 aircraft.
