ICAO Wildlife Symposium

Montreal, Canada

18 May 2017

Presented by:

Chris G. Demers

Developments in Aircraft Engine Design

for Bird Ingestion

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

FAA Bird Requirements Evolution

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

FAA Bird Requirements Evolution

A318 B767/B757

Med Bird 1.5 lbs., non-

specific Run-On

Large Bird Safe

Shutdown

Incr. Med & Large Bird

Reqmts

Large Bird, 20 min. Run-On

A380 A320neo E195-E5 MRJ

B747 DC-9 B727

Increased Regulations due to Industry Study of Bird Populations

AC33-1 Amd 33-10

Amd 33-6

5 min. Run-On Reqmt

Added

Amd 33-20 Amd 33-24

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

ARAC Proposed Enhanced

Core Requirements

A300

A310 A320

B707 B777 B787 CS100/CS300

We Are

Here

High By-Pass Turbofan Engine

Inlet

Spinner

Fan Blade

Intake Airflow

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

Bird Strike – Typical Fan Blade Damage

Soft Body “Cusps”

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

1 - Regulation and Field Data

Review

2 - Computer Modeling /

Design Iterations

3 - Component Testing

4 - Rig / Engine Development

Testing

5 - Certification Testing

6 - Service Experience

Design Process for Bird Strike Mitigation

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

Computer Modeling Fan blade design is optimized via computer modeling for

bird strike response

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

Component Testing Fan blades are lab tested at component level to verify computer

model predictions

Top view of jelly bird impacting fan leading edge (above)

Fan blade component test set-up (left)

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

Component Testing Fan component test – structural model calibration data and

confirmation of fan bird impact response

Jelly Bird

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

Rig Testing Fan rotor rig test – confirmation of fan bird impact response

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

Bird Certification Requirements

• Engine ingestion test bird sizes and quantities are established by federal regulations based on engine size (inlet area)

• For large engines

– Four medium flocking birds (2.5 lbs.) with core ingestion

• Bird speed at most critical fan conditions > V1 (takeoff rotation decision speed)

• All birds ingested within one second

• Demonstrate sustained operation at ≥75% take-off thrust

• Provide sufficient power for aircraft ATB/diversion and safe landing

– One large flocking bird (5.5 lbs.) targeted at critical fan location

• Bird Speed is 200 knots (230 MPH)

• Demonstrate sustained operation at ≥50% take-off thrust

• Provide sufficient power for aircraft ATB and safe landing

– One large single bird (8 lbs.) targeted at critical fan location

• Bird speed is 200 knots

• Verify safe engine shutdown

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

Bird Ingestion Test Setup

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

5.5 lbs Bird

Cannon

2.5 lbs Bird

Cannons

Bird Ingestion Test – Lights & Cannons

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

Bird Ingestion Test – Fan Blades & Inlet

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

Bird Ingestion Test – Birds

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

Large Bird (8 lbs.) Test

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

Examples of Turbofan Continuous Design Improvements

• Shroudless fan airfoils

• Automatic surge recovery logic

• Automatic restart logic

• Improved compressor vane retention designs

• Optimized rain/hail/FOD core rejection geometry

• Reduced fan rotor speeds

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

Continuous Improvement Results

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

1.00E-08

1.00E-07

1.00E-06

1.00E-05

1.00E-04

1.00E-03

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

Aircraft Bird Strike Trends (4 year rolling avg.)

AIA Aircraft Power Loss Rate (per flight)1

US Aircraft Damaging Strike Rate (per flight)2

US Aircraft Strike Rate (per flight)2

Summary

• Regulations have evolved over time to address the bird ingestion into aircraft engines as the understanding of the threat developed, and continue to evolve as we gain more knowledge about the threat.

• Everyone is doing their part to manage avian threats to all aircraft; regulators, manufacturers, airport operators and wildlife managers.

• Pratt & Whitney is proud of the engine advancements that have been achieved to reduce the threat of bird strikes to aircraft flight.

• Pratt & Whitney continues to work side by side with the industry and regulators to further mitigate the bird strike threat to aviation safety.

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

QUESTIONS?

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release

Developments in Aircraft

Engine Design for Bird Ingestion

Contains No Technical Data Subject to EAR - ITAR Approved for Public Release