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Old 30th June 2009, 02:07   #4 (permalink)
ClippedCub
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: ATL
Age: 52
Posts: 107
The test engine is run during takeoff at reduced setting to minimize the risk of failure. The crew know what it has and is sitting on go to react. Additionally, runway length, takeoff speeds, atmospheric conditions, and weight are chosen to substantially increase the margins. Even if you have one, the test engine, set to fail, engine number one, in this case, would have to let go at the same time to really screw things up. So the odds of crew and airplane loss are small and considered acceptable for the payoff. The Herc's engines are co-rotating, so there is one, critical, engine.
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