PW1100 engine operation in rain & hail

[pineteam]

Dear all,

I have access to the PW 1100G-JM operations review A320NEO aircraft document and there is a section about operation in moderate to heavy rain and hail and here's their recommendation:

Use the procedures listed below when operating in or near moderate to heavy rain and hail.
** Start the APU if available to assist with relight in event of a flameout.
** keep Autothrust OFF
** Do not make rapid thrust lever movements, even to correct fluctuations in engine parameters.
** Use engine anti- ice as required.

I could not find anything about it in the FCOM tho
What are you thoughts about it?

Thanks.

[Turbine D]

Originally Posted by pineteam

Dear all,

I have access to the PW 1100G-JM operations review A320NEO aircraft document and there is a section about operation in moderate to heavy rain and hail and here's their recommendation:
I could not find anything about it in the FCOM tho
What are you thoughts about it?

Thanks.

I would think there will be some engine modifications to provide more margin regarding rain/hail ingestion and the current recommendations are temporary until changes are made and certified. For example in years past, the CFM56-3 experienced a couple of incidents where flameouts of both engines occurred during the landing process and couldn't be restarted in time to avoid premature landings, one on a dike, the other in a river. Often the problem is due to the inability of the engine to disperse hail or ice from entering the engine core instead of proceeding to the fan bypass when at low power settings during landing operations. On the CFM engine, the spinner cone was changed from a pointy conical shape to a more rounded elliptical shape to better throw hail/ice particles outward. Additionally, changes were made in the fan bypass and several initial stages of the compressor to make it more difficult for either ice particles or hail to enter the core and find its way to the combustor. Usually igniters were run continuously when around thunderstorms or heavy rain pockets. Certainly appropriate do's and don'ts for the pilots are important and should be eventually added as part of an updated FCOM...

I also think it remains difficult to replicate all conditions of actual flight experience during certification testing on the ground, hail, ice and ice crystals being among the most difficult to replicate...

[lomapaseo]

Originally Posted by pineteam

Dear all,

I have access to the PW 1100G-JM operations review A320NEO aircraft document and there is a section about operation in moderate to heavy rain and hail and here's their recommendation:


I could not find anything about it in the FCOM tho
What are you thoughts about it?

Thanks.

While the P&W recommendations appear valid, it's important that such recommendations being specifically married to the aircraft design and operation. That task is an installers job to oversee and the FCOM. Obviously it's not the intent to compound a variable flight condition. by adding a task not approved by the installer or the operator.

Thus the OP might consider asking for clarification from the operator and/or the engine installer (e.g Air Bus, Boeing)