Originally Posted by Milt
RR Flight Tests
Has there been a flying test bed for the new giant engine for the A380 or does it have to be the first A300.?
Can't speak for Roller but their competitor's GP 7270 (I think that's right) got some time on the #2 position of a 747 testbed.
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Saw on TV RR doing a corn cob destruct by an explosive severence of a fan blade at max RPM.
Test was just to see that the casing could contain the corn and it did.
Incredible destruction of a new engine. Must be an easier less expensive method.
The core/LPT is probably built from reject/tired parts that would otherwise be scrapped; as long as they function satisfactorily for a few minutes they have done their job. Only the fan is "up-to-spec" hardware. It's a very important certification test so they take pains to make it meaningful.