Simulating safety

Bombardier Aerospace simulates airflow in nacelles to prevent engine foreign-object damage.

The potential for objects to be ingested into an aircraft's engine through the nacelle and possibly force the engine to be taken out of service for repairs is a concern with all airplane operators. Bombardier Aerospace has performed many physical experiments on its Q Series Dash 8 regional aircraft in an effort to eliminate foreign-object damage (FOD).

The Q Series Dash 8 family of turboprop regional airliners includes the 37- passenger Q100 and Q200, the 50- to 56- passenger Q300, and the 68- to 78-passenger Q400, which had its first flight in 1998 and entered commercial service in February 2000. Two PW150A turboprop engines supplied by Pratt & Whitney Canada power the Bombardier Q400 aircraft. Each engine develops 5070 hp.