Serial production of PD-8 engines under way after certification

Powerplant for SJ-100 secured approval from Russian civil aviation regulator in June.

Russia’s United Engine has commenced assembly of the first production Aviadvigatel PD-8 powerplants for the Yakovlev SJ-100.

Assembly of the PD-8s follows federal aviation regulator Rosaviatsia’s certification of the engine in early June.

United Engine’s Saturn division chief, Ilya Konyukhov, says the company is “launching serial production” of the powerplants.

“The first engine kits for the assembly of serial powerplants have already been manufactured,” he says.

“Their delivery to the [United Aircraft] factory and fitting on the [SJ-100] wing are planned for the near future.

United Engine says it has commissioned around 100 new machining and inspection tools to “modernise and accelerate” output.

Konyukhov adds: “The company’s production facilities are ready for a high work rate.”

United Engine expects to deliver the initial production engines to its customer “in the coming months”. The SJ-100 is still undergoing certification.