Hi,
Here a quote from another aviation forum:
As to strapping the fan, I looked this up in the A310 mm, though Im pretty sure it applies to all JT9's, sorry cant link it.
The mm says you CAN use this procedure while performing test 03. Test 03 is basically a leak test which is required after the replacement of many engine components. P&W calls it a "locked fan rotor ground run". The mm is very specific about how you strap the fan, they call for installing seven straps which must be woven through the fan blades at specific clock locations. The straps must be positioned "outboard of and against the mid span shroud as far outboard on fan exit vanes as possible".
The advantage of using this procedure is you can run the engine with ALL of the cowling open. The disadvantage is it obviously takes lots of time to set up and you are supposed to have fire fighting equipment standing by because the engine fire bottles will be ineffective with the cowling open. You can not go above ground idle. As an alternative you can do test 03 with the cowling closed (no straps) then open it up and look for leaks.
1-I am wondering if this method is still applied for the recent engines?
2-Is there any procedure in the maintenance manuals to lock the prop during engine run-up to have relatively closer look at the engine with cowls open?
Is it possible to approach (but not really close) a turboprop with open cowls and in THRUST REVERSE to have a closer look to the engine during run-up?
Feedback appreciated.
Thank you.