Propulsion and Fuel Systems Test FacilitiesBuildings 211 and 292

These facilities, located in Buildings 211(shown on right) and 292 (shown below),also provide the validation of data andtechnical bases for improvements to civilaircraft certification and operationalstandards, including procedural guidanceand means of demonstrated compliance tothese standards. The individual laboratoriesinclude the Large-Engine Test Laboratory,Small-Engine Test Laboratory, Fuels ResearchLaboratory, and Wing Fuel Spillage andJettison Laboratory.

Large-Engine Test LaboratoryThe Large-Engine Test Laboratory consistsof one test cell (40 by 30 ft.), a controlroom, and supporting test and dataacquisition equipment that can be used toassess the safety and performance of largeturbine engines and general aviation pistonengines and related systems. The test cellhas been upgraded with a new eddy-current dynamometer that can

accommodate aviation piston engines up toa maximum rating of 500 shaft horsepower.The test cell is also used as the engine build-up and tear-down work area. The upgradeof this test cell includes the addition of aconditioned air system (CAS) and new dataacquisition equipment. The CAS enablestest engineers to provide combustion air totest engines over a wide range oftemperature and relative humidity.This newcapability allows the conduction of morerealistic engine performance tests. The newdynamometer in Building 211 is shownbelow.

Small-Engine Test LaboratoryThe Small-Engine Test (SET) Laboratory isdesigned for full-scale testing andperformance evaluation of small aircraftengines, including existing engine (i.e.,turbine, piston, etc.) and future engine (i.e.,

The propulsion and fuels systems

test facilities, located within the

Safety Research and Development

area at the FAA William J. Hughes

Technical Center, provide research

and testing to ensure the safety of

all civil aircraft propulsion, fuel, and

powerplant and fuel system

installations.

diesel, rotary, etc.) designs. The buildingcontains two test cells equipped with brake(750 hp) and eddy-current (500 hp)dynamometers, control room, dataacquisition system, and associated supportequipment needed to perform enginecombustion analysis, exhaust emission,detonation detection, and other safety- andperformance-related assessments. Thephotograph above shows a piston engine-dyno test cell installation in the SETLaboratory.

Fuels Research LaboratoryThe Fuels Research Laboratory consists oftwo main test areas, one for fuels analysisand another for fuel component systemtesting.The fuel analysis area is equipped for

conducting tests in accordance withAmerican Society for Testing and Materials(ASTM) test standards specified for aviationturbine fuels (ASTM 1655), aviationgasolines (ASTM D910), automotivegasolines (ASTM D439), and other alternatefuels.The fuel component systems test areaincludes bench test installations to performresearch and testing associated with aircraft

fuel transfer and other handling systems.The fuel component systems test area is setup to conduct tests on engine fuel systems,engine controls and accessories, and enginefire protection systems.

Wing Fuel Spillage and Jettison LaboratoryThe Wing Fuel Spillage and JettisonLaboratory (shown below) consists of a ramair (200 knots) wind tunnel and a wing testsection and data acquisition control areathat is used to assess the safety andperformance characteristics of fuels and fueltransfer systems under simulated high airflow flight conditions. The laboratory has

been used to evaluate postcrasheffectiveness of safety fuel additives and canbe used for procedures associated with theemergency jettison of aircraft fuel and otherexperiments involving fuel and fuel transfersystem performance needs.

To find out more about the Propulsion andFuels System Test Facilities, contact:

Airport and Aircraft Safety Research and Development Division

Airworthiness Assurance Research and Development Branch

Propulsion and Fuels Section, AAR-432

Federal Aviation AdministrationWilliam J. Hughes Technical CenterAtlantic City International Airport, NJ 08405Phone: (609) 485-4499Fax: (609) 485-4569www.tc.faa.gov