null
1-855-215-2914
Free Shipping on orders $75+ (Shipping Details Here)
loginLogin
Cart Cart

Aviation Oil Outlet Aviation Oil Outlet

  • CUSTOMER SERVICE
    • Contact Us
    • Credit App
    • Quote Request
    • Shipping Info
  • ABOUT US
    • Our Products
    • About Us
    • Mission
    • FAQ
  • RESOURCES
    • Videos
    • Articles
    • Email Sign-up
  • login
    Login
  • cart
    Cart
    • Aviation Lubricants By Application
      • All Aviation Lubricants By Application
      • Aviation Piston Engine Oils
        • Straight Grade Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
        • Straight Grade Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
        • Multi-Viscosity Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
        • Multi-Viscosity Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
        • Multi-Viscosity Grade Oil for Light Sport Aircraft
        • Aviation Oil with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
      • Aviation Turbine Oil
      • Aviation Hydraulic Oil
      • Aerobatic Smoke Oil
      • Aviation Greases
    • Aviation Lubricants By Weight
      • All Aviation Lubricants By Weight
      • Aviation Grade 65, SAE 30
        • Straight 65 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
      • Aviation Grade 80, SAE 40
        • Straight 80 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
        • Straight 80 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
      • Aviation Grade 100, SAE 50
        • Straight 100 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
        • Straight 100 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
        • Grade 100 with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
      • Aviation Grade 120, SAE 60
        • Grade 120 Mineral, Break-in Oil
        • Grade 120 Ashless for Normal Operation
      • Aviation Oil SAE 10w-40
      • Aviation Oil SAE 15w-50
        • Multi-Grade 15w-50 Ashless for Normal Use
      • Aviation Oil SAE 20w-50
        • Multi-Grade 20w-50 Break-In Oil
        • Multi-Grade 20W-50 Ashless for Normal Use
      • Aviation Oil SAE 25w-60
        • Multi-Grade 25w-60 for Engine Break-In
        • Multi-Grade 25w-60 Ashless for Normal Use
    • Lubricant Accessories
    • Shop By Brand
      • AeroShell
      • BlueSky Lubricants
      • Mobil
      • Phillips 66 Aviation
    • About Us
      • Our Products
      • About Us
      • Mission
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Online Sales
      • Online Shopping Security
      • Terms Of Use
    • Resources
      • Videos
      • Articles
      • Email Sign-up
      • Bookmark Our Site
      • Get Our Free Web App
      • Site Map
    • Customer Service
      • Customer Service
      • Return Policy
      • Contact Us
      • Credit App
      • Quote Request
      • Shipping Info
      • FAQ
      • Paypal Resource Page
    • Login Create an Account


    1-855-215-2914
    The Flight Blog - Read Articles The Flight Blog - Read Articles
    Back to Blog Homepage
    How Are Aircraft Engines Tested?

    How Are Aircraft Engines Tested?

    By Kendra Kuhar on Feb 5th 2018

    Aircraft engine testing, especially on commercial flights, is top-priority to ensure safety for everyone on board. According to the FAA, more than 42,000 flights and 2,587,000 passengers traveled in the United States in 2016. Seeing exactly how many people rely on commercial aircraft for domestic transportation further emphasizes the importance of engine testing.

    All Weather Tests



    Being ready for whatever Mother Nature has in store comes with the territory of flying at high altitudes for an extended amount of time.

    Aircraft engines need to be able to handle rain, wind, ice, and everything in-between.

    Airbus took its A350 XWB to Iqaluit, Nunavut-the capital of an Arctic territory in Canada with temperatures as low as -18°F. They needed to see how the plane would fare in such extreme conditions on the ground and in the air. They also did cold starts on the plane.

    According to a lightning lab at Cardiff University in Wales, every commercial plane is hit by lightning once a year. In addition to Canada for cold temperature tests, Airbus also takes its planes to the lab to conduct lightning tests on the planes.

    Aircraft companies traditionally made aircraft of aluminum; however, fuel efficiency became a priority so they now opt for lighter material like carbon fiber that needs protection. They do this by adding a thin layer of mesh or foil to coat the plane. The lab then hits the material with strong lightning bolts to see how it will hold up while flying.

    Testers also pit airplane engines up against water by having the planes taxi through deep troughs of water to simulate heavy rain and test thrusters and brakes. They also push a steady stream of water and broken up ice, like the plane would encounter when flying through a hail cloud, into the engine.

    Engines are Not for the Birds 



    Airplane engines work by pulling in the air, but as we were reminded with the Hudson River emergency landing by Sully Sullenberger, the plane can pull birds in as well.

    While not always fatal, it can cause engine failure and be extremely expensive to fix damage so companies like GE simulate the worst and most extreme situations an aircraft can end up in to guarantee the plane can handle it.

    A device called the -chicken gun- is used to launch birds into engines, record results, and make appropriate changes. Engine companies use birds made of plastic and clay.

    Another uncommon but detrimental happening is when a blade snaps off inside of the engine. To prepare for this, companies conduct the "blade-off" test--a violent but necessary procedure.

    It simulates an event where a blade snaps off because of wear. If this were to happen in real life, it would be especially dangerous for passengers because the blade is spinning at 3,000 RPM and could become shrapnel that tears through the rest of the plane.

    To contain this, engineers rigged a small explosive at the base of the blade to keep it in the chamber if it detaches.


    Sources:


    http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140319-stress-tests-for-safer-planes

    https://www.wired.com/2014/11/how-ge-tests-jet-engines/

    https://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/airlines/a13938335/worlds-largest-jet-engine-ge-ge9x-flight-test/

    https://newatlas.com/stratolaunch-completes-engine-testing/51427/

    • #Technology
    • #Airbus
    • #aircraft engine test
    • #bird in plane engines
    • #Boeing
    • #captain sully
    • #cardiff university
    • #engines in bad weather
    • #hudson river plane crash
    • #sully

    You might also be interested in:


    Newsletter | January 2023
    by Aviation Oil Outlet on Jan 12th 2023

    Do You Use Our FREE Web App? Now you can save our website as an app on your
    monthly newsletter
    Newsletter | November 2022
    by Aviation Oil Outlet on Nov 22nd 2022

    Other Smoke Oils Pail in Comparison to Bluesky Bluesky White Lightning Smok
    monthly newsletter
    Newsletter | October 2022
    by Aviation Oil Outlet on Oct 28th 2022

    Shop One of Our Most Popular Products - In Stock While Supplies Last One of
    monthly newsletter
    !

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales

    aoo logo
    Aviation Oil Outlet
    454 South Main Street
    Wilkes Barre, PA 18703
    United States of America

    1-855-215-2914

    E-mail:
    sales@aviationoiloutlet.com

    Follow us on Social:

    Customer Service

    • Contact
    • Credit Application
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Quote Request
    • Returns
    • Shipping Information
    • Sitemap

    Resources

    • About Us
    • Accessibility
    • Brands
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Online Shopping Security
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions of Online Sales
    • Terms of Use
    • Video Library

    Account

    • Account
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • Order History

    © 2023 Aviation Oil Outlet

    payment method icons Bizrate
    ​