The Northern Irish company Nacelle Systems Consultancy (NSC) conducted an audit of the nacelle project for the Russian new generation engine PD-14 designed for the MS-21-300 aircraft.

According to the experts of the NSC, the PD-14 nacelle embodies the latest technical solutions and is a world class product.

A nacelle is the part of the aircraft that serves for covering the engine, creating an aerodynamic shape and accommodating units and thrust reversal devices.

The PD-14 basic turbofan engine is created in a wide cooperation of the UEC enterprises for the MS-21-300 aircraft using the latest technologies and materials, including composite ones. UEC is currently running integrated tests of the PD-14 engine on the certification basis. From 2015 to 2017, the first two stages of flight tests have been held successfully.

The general contractor for the program is the United Engine Corporation, UEC – Aviadvigatel is the developer, and UEC – Perm Motors is the serial manufacturer. For the first time in the history of domestic civil turbofan engines, the developer of the engine creates a nacelle for it as well.

The main aim of the cooperation between UEC and NSC is to confirm that the PD-14 engine nacelle complies with the requirements of the EASA certification basis. During multiple visits to Perm, Northern Irish experts have verified that the structure of the Russian nacelle meets the certification basis, including fire safety and lightning resistance.

"We are familiar with international standards and can interpret them correctly in order to provide the power plant and the nacelle with the certification of EASA and other regulating authorities," says Michael Thompson, Director General of Nacelle Systems Consultancy. "We have conducted our audit of the Russian development in Perm; only minor adjustments had to be made in accordance with the certification requirements. We believe that this will contribute to the successful certification of the PD-14 nacelle at EASA and to the promotion of the engine in the international market. In fact, the PD-14 nacelle can become the benchmark Western competitors will compare their products with and the level of which they will try to reach."

The representatives of UEC also visited the NSC headquarters in Northern Ireland (UK) to exchange experience with NSC.

All the works under the contract obligations of NSC are complete as of now. At the same time, the cooperation between UEC and the Northern Irish company on the PD-14 project continues.

The interaction of UEC and NSC was discussed at the international air show Paris Air Show in 2017 in June. Earlier, in July 2016 during Farnborough International Airshow 2016 Simon Hamilton, Minister of the economy of Northern Ireland, visited the UEC chalet. The main topic of the talks was the prospects of cooperation in the field of creating composite materials for the Russian civil engines. Representatives of NSC were also present at the meeting. The parties have shown great interest in the possibility of joining efforts for the implementation of new joint projects.

The core competency of Nacelle Systems Consultancy is the expertise in the integration of aircraft power plants. Experts of the company participated in the implementation of the projects on creating a whole range of power plants recently developed by the leading manufacturers.

The PD-14 engine was presented at the UEC stall at the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS 2017 in Zhukovsky from June 18 to June 23.