RuAviation

The Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute named after Professor N.E. Zhukovsky (TsAGI) provides scientific support for the aerodynamics, durability and service life of the import-substituted version of the Superjet, the SJ-100 aircraft. The prototype for ground testing is currently undergoing the second stage of resource tests at TsAGI under the order of PJSC Yakovlev.

By the beginning of autumn, fatigue endurance tests of the aircraft were completed in the volume of 12 thousand laboratory flights without revealing any problems in the airframe design. By the end of this year, the second stage will be completed in the volume of 24 thousand flight cycles, which will confirm the high initial life for the import-substituted airliner, the press service of the institute said.

The main objective is to collect data on the behaviour of the aircraft structure under cyclic loads to establish the maximum allowable operating time in flights, hours and by the aircraft’s calendar service life.

“In laboratory conditions, we reproduce the full life cycle of an aircraft by simulating in random combinations the combinations of all possible loads that the aircraft may encounter in real operation. These include controlled manoeuvres, turbulence, take-off and landing modes, and cruising flight,” said Stanislav Dubinsky, Head of the Aircraft Structural Life Department at TsAGI.

Computerised hydraulic force loaders with independent digital control are used to apply loads to the aircraft. Their use makes it possible to increase the speed of testing and at the same time make the results more accurate. The response of the structure is measured by means of a special strain gauge system, while the loading processes, data collection and processing are controlled by original software developed at TsAGI.

By the beginning of autumn the fatigue endurance tests of the aircraft were completed in the volume of 12 thousand laboratory flights without revealing any problems in the airframe design. By the end of this year, the second stage of 24,000 flight cycles will be completed, which will confirm the high initial service life of the import-substituted airliner.