Hello all,
Are charge air coolers or water coolers for piston engines tested for bird strikes or hail? The Diamond DA-50 rg for example has its charge air coolers right in the front and a suicidal bird could smash against it. In case of a hail storm, it could also be critical, maybe there is an angle (depending on the falling speed of the hail) in which a cooler can be regarded as safe. In case of the P51, the coolers are surly well protected against hail, but the old cooler designs out of tubes look more robust anyway.
In Turboprop engines, it is well considered, that hail might block the engine intake, so that usually there is an extra flap at the bottom of the intake to let the hail or other objects out. I’ve never seen something like that in the air ducts for the cooling system, is that not relevant for certification?
Thanks in advance!
Are charge air coolers or water coolers for piston engines tested for bird strikes or hail? The Diamond DA-50 rg for example has its charge air coolers right in the front and a suicidal bird could smash against it. In case of a hail storm, it could also be critical, maybe there is an angle (depending on the falling speed of the hail) in which a cooler can be regarded as safe. In case of the P51, the coolers are surly well protected against hail, but the old cooler designs out of tubes look more robust anyway.
In Turboprop engines, it is well considered, that hail might block the engine intake, so that usually there is an extra flap at the bottom of the intake to let the hail or other objects out. I’ve never seen something like that in the air ducts for the cooling system, is that not relevant for certification?
Thanks in advance!
