The issue of developing a Russian turboprop engine for light-class aircraft was discussed December 15 at a round table at the Novosibirsk State Technical University of NETI. The University is ready to take on the role of a developer in a project to replace imported engines with domestic ones.
The round table was organized by RUSAVIAPROM with the university. The company mass-produces light aircraft, and, according to Alexey Kryukov, CEO of RUSAVIAPROM, there is an urgent need for a domestic turboprop engine for light aviation. During the round table at NSTU - NETI, the issue of reverse engineering of the Honeywell TPE331-12 turboprop engine was discussed, since turboprop engines with a capacity of 800 to 1400 hp are not currently produced in Russia.
"The scientific school of the Faculty of Aircraft of NSTU NETI is more than 60 years old, and dozens of projects have been implemented in this area. The University is the main research partner of the landmark project in the Novosibirsk region to create an RDC RPAS. The university is ready to implement the results of applied research in the real sector of the economy. In response to the aircraft industry' s need for the development of domestic components, we are ready to actively engage in the design and development of technologies for the production of aircraft assemblies and systems, in particular reverse engineering of a turboprop engine. NSTU NETI has experience in the development of aircraft engines for airplanes and helicopters, including lightweight versions of aircraft engines," commented Anatoly Bataev, Rector of NSTU NETI.
Ilya Zverkov, Professor of the Department of Aircraft and Helicopter Engineering at the Faculty of Aircraft of NSTU NETI, noted during the round table that the university's competencies allow the development of an engine gearbox and an air propeller.
Alexey Kryukov, CEO of RUSAVIAPROM, estimates the development time of the aircraft engine to be 3-5 years. "The development of an engine of this class will give a serious impetus to the development of light aviation, both passenger, carrying from 9 to 12-19 people, and aerobatic aircraft — civil and military," said Alexey Kryukov.
At the round table, the Honeywell TPE331-12 engine was demonstrated to specialists of the aviation and engine industries. RUSAVIAPROM is ready to provide the engine for analysis and study understand whether it is possible to quickly release a domestic-made power plant that meets the needs of light aviation by reverse engineering the engine.
The competencies and applied developments during the round table were also presented by the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics SB RAS named after S.A. Khristianovich, and the Institute of Thermophysics SB RAS named after S.S. Kutateladze , Design Bureau branch of PJSC UEC-UMPO named after A. Lyulka, Institute of Engines and Power Plants of Samara University, Tomsk Polytechnic University, CIAM, S7 Space, Center for Technological Competence of Additive Technologies, Rosatom Fuel Company TVEL, and others.