The PS-90A spends over 7000 hours on the wing, an increase of 10 fold since initial tests

Published: 6/15/1999

According to a spokesman for the press service of the Perm Motors manufacturing works, the PS-90A aircraft motor has now spent some 7,000 hours on the wing. This figure has increased by ten-fold since the beginning of operational tests. The 7,000-hour total was achieved on an Aeroflot Il-96-300 airliner, used on the Moscow-Seoul-Moscow route. According to Mr Aleksandr Inozemtsev, Chief Designer and First Deputy Director-General of Aviadvigatel, “the figure shows that the motor is past the age of infantile disorders". The service life of 6,000-7,000 working hours is an average figure for engines used by Aeroflot on its Il-96-300 planes. Mr Inozemtsev is convinced that 7,500 and even 8,000 hours will soon be exceeded. He believes, however, that “additional financing is needed to finish the work". Perm Motors is working on the creation of the more sophisticated PS-90A2 motor, together with Pratt & Whitney (PW). According to reports, this should ensure its development within two to three years, rather than an estimated five years, without P&W help.

Article ID: 588