Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency has started reviewing certification materials for the PD-8 turbofan engine, marking another step toward approval of the SJ-100 regional jet in its Russian-powered configuration.
The certification package has been submitted to Rosaviatsiya for technical evaluation by specialists from the agency’s Aviation Register. Russian regulators are expected to decide on issuing the engine’s type certificate after completing the review process.
The PD-8 is being developed as the domestic powerplant for the SJ-100, part of a wider Russian effort to replace foreign-built aerospace systems following sanctions and supply chain disruptions. United Engine Corporation (UEC), which oversees the program, expects certification once the full set of compliance documents has been cleared by regulators.
Certification testing of the SJ-100 equipped with PD-8 engines is scheduled to conclude in August 2026.
The test campaign combined ground runs with flight trials aboard the Il-76LL flying laboratory and prototype SJ-100 aircraft. The engines accumulated 1,449 flight hours, with additional operating time recorded during bench testing. Engineers evaluated performance across the full operating envelope, including abnormal and emergency conditions.
Icing trials were conducted both in natural weather conditions over Russia’s Arkhangelsk region and at the Central Institute of Aviation Motors’ ground-test facilities. Additional tests at UEC-Saturn’s outdoor complex in Rybinsk examined the engine’s resistance to bird strikes, water and ice ingestion, and fan blade failure events.
The PD-8 also completed a 150-hour endurance campaign intended to simulate long-term airline operations and validate durability under sustained service loads.
In April, the engine underwent a final hail-ingestion test designed to replicate flight through a severe hailstorm. During the 30-second trial, approximately 220 kilograms (485 pounds) of ice projectiles were fired into the engine at speeds of up to 240 meters per second. According to UEC, the engine maintained stable operation throughout the test sequence.
After operating under maximum-stress conditions, the engines were disassembled for detailed inspection and post-test analysis. Engineers assessed the condition of fan blades, bearings, combustion chambers and other critical components, comparing measured data against projected performance parameters. UEC said the inspection procedures were carried out more than 100 times during the certification campaign to verify durability and reliability targets.
Development of the 8-ton-thrust-class turbofan began in 2019 under a contract awarded by Russia’s Industry and Trade Ministry. While the PD-8 draws on technologies developed for the larger PD-14 engine, several systems were designed specifically for the new powerplant. Russian industry officials say the program introduced 25 critical technologies, including 17 developed domestically for the first time.
In addition to the SJ-100, the PD-8 is expected to power the Be-200 amphibious aircraft, replacing Ukrainian-built D-436TP engines currently used on the platform. Series production has been established at UEC-Saturn’s manufacturing plant in Rybinsk.
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