Aerospace

Rolls-Royce Launches Test Flights for Revolutionary Pearl 10X Engine

Rollsroyce

Rolls-Royce reports that the company’s dedicated Boeing 747 flying testbed has seen the successful start of the Pearl 10X, their newest aero engine designed for the business aviation industry.

Dassault, a French aircraft manufacturer, has decided to use this engine only to power their newest flagship, the Falcon 10X. As stated at last year’s Capital Markets Day, the commencement of flight testing represents a significant milestone for both Rolls-Royce and the Pearl 10X programme as the company concentrates on expanding in the business aviation industry.

The first Rolls-Royce engine to power a Dassault business jet is the Pearl 10X, the newest engine in the state-of-the-art Pearl engine family. The Pearl 10X was chosen by the French aircraft manufacturer as their new flagship model, demonstrating even more of Rolls-Royce’s dominance in the business aviation engine market.

Over the next few months, pilots and flight test engineers from Tucson, Arizona, USA, will put the engine through its paces. The flight test programme will comprise testing of the nacelle’s anti-icing system, in-flight relights, engine performance and handling checks at various speeds and altitudes, and fan vibration tests at various altitudes.

The new auxiliary gearbox, which enables higher additional power extraction, and the ultra-low emissions ALM combustor, which is compatible with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), have undergone extensive testing as part of the ground-based development programme thus far. The engine will be the most potent business aviation engine in the Rolls-Royce lineup. It exceeded its intended thrust levels during the very first test run. With over 2,300 testing hours successfully completed on the Pearl 10X engine configuration as well as the Advance 2 demonstration, the programme is moving forward at a rapid pace.

With the most economical engine core available for business aircraft, the Advance2 engine, coupled with a high-performance low-pressure system, gives the Pearl 10X an exceptional thrust of over 18,000 lbf. With a 5% increase in economy over the previous generation of Rolls-Royce commercial aviation engines, the Pearl 10X

Aerospace

When Ratan Tata was denied entry to the airfield at the Aero India show, he waited

During our visit to Aero India 2019, we had the unexpected opportunity to see Ratan Tata at the event, which was a thrilling moment for us. However, there was a surprising hiccup when the security staff didn’t allow him to enter due to a lack of a security pass.

Despite this, he remained calm and patiently waited for about 20 minutes until a member of the Tata team brought him the required pass, after which he calmly proceeded inside. It was a humbling sight, showcasing his composed demeanor even in such situations.

Ratan Tata ji is not only a renowned industrialist but also a trained pilot, holding a pilot’s license. In 2007, he became the first Indian civilian to fly the F-16 Falcon during the Aero India show in Bangalore—a proud moment for the nation.

His passion for aviation extended beyond flying, as he played a key role in shaping India’s aerospace industry. Under his leadership, Tata ventured into manufacturing and maintaining aerospace components while upholding its legacy of quality. Notably, Tata’s collaboration with Airbus to develop and manufacture the C295 aircraft is a testament to its growing influence in the sector.