Flight Tests of Turboprop Engine with Reverse Air Intake System

This work presents selected results of I-31T propulsion flight tests, obtained in the framework of ESPOSA (Efficient Systems and Propulsion for Small Aircraft) project. I-31T test platform was equipped with TP100, a 180 kW turboprop engine. Engine installation design include reverse flow inlet and separator, controlled from the cockpit, that limited ingestion of solid particulates during ground operations. The flight tests verified proper air feed to the engine with the separator turned on and off. The carried out investigation of the intake system excluded possibility of hazardous engine operation, such as compressor stall, surge or flameout and potential airflow disturbance causing damaging vibration of the engine body. Finally, we present evaluation of total power losses associated with engine integration with the airframe.