The “pool” test simulated the movement of the aircraft on a waterlogged runway, ensuring the resistance and performance of the Russian PD-8 engines during takeoff and braking.
Moscow — The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) successfully conducted certification tests of the new “Superjet” equipped with Russian PD-8 engines, produced by the United Engine Corporation (UEC) — both part of Rostec.
The tests took place in the so-called “test pool,” a structure built on the runway to simulate the aircraft’s contact with large volumes of water, as occurs after heavy rainfall. The goal was to verify the protection of the engines and the auxiliary power unit against water ingress, ensuring stable operation and proper thrust even under adverse conditions.
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Wet runway simulation
During the experiment, engineers created a “pool” measuring 70 meters long and 12 meters wide, lined with rubber profiles bonded with epoxy resin and divided into squares. The water depth was adjusted to reproduce the typical puddle accumulation that occurs after heavy rain.
How the tests were conducted
The aircraft accelerated for about 600 to 700 meters, passed through the 70-meter flooded area, and continued for another kilometer until controlled braking. Thrust reverser modes — a system used by modern aircraft to assist in deceleration after landing — were also tested.
According to Rostec, the results confirm the safe operational capability of the new Superjet on wet runways — an important step toward the full certification of the fully localized version of the regional jet.
Photo and video: UAC. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
