Inspection of the Cessna Citation (PH-LAB)

Once every 5 years, the engines of the Cessna Citation, owned by NLR and the TU Delft, need to be inspected. The main focus is usually on the moving parts of the engine and, naturally, the combustion chamber.

For this Hot-Section Inspection, the Pratt and Whitney JT15D-4 engines will be uncovered from the exhaust to half-way the engine. Both the output rotor and the stators, as well as the combustion chamber and the diffusers will be removed for this inspection. Afterwards, they will be checked to see whether they need to be repaired or maybe even replaced. With a boroscope also the compressor will be checked which can be accessed through the inlet of the engine. All these components will be assessed and they will be checked based on the set specifications and safety regulations. At this moment, the engines are again being assembled, since they have all been approved! Now the Cessna Citation will be ready for another 1750 hours in the sky. Just in time for the yearly research project during the flight tests for the third-year students!