May 1, 2003 -- EVENDALE, Ohio - GE Aircraft Engines' GE90-115B, the world's most powerful jet engine, has completed a highly successful flight test program on GE's 747 Flying Testbed based at Mojave, California.
Meanwhile, the GE90-115B engine continues to power Boeing's new 777-300ER as part of the company's 1,600-hour flight-test program which began in February. Boeing is expected to achieve U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and European Joint Aviation Authorities certification for this engine/aircraft combination in early 2004.
GE's 747 Flying Testbed aircraft is a unique flying test laboratory designated to accumulate comprehensive in-flight data on new GE engine models before they are installed on a customer aircraft.
With a GE90-115B engine installed at the left inboard position, the Flying Testbed completed 48 flights and 217 flight hours over a 152-day period to obtain data at altitude conditions that would not be available from a ground test program. The test program was comprehensive, with the focus on performance, air start capability, and system durability.
"The first flight of the GE90-115B on the 747 Flying Testbed was conducted with all of the engine parameters within established limits," said Chaker Chahrour, general manager of the GE90 Engine Program. "That first flight set the tone for the program. Subsequent testing was very aggressive and verified the altitude performance and durability of the GE90-115B design."
"This was the most aggressive flight test program ever on our Flying Testbed," said Al Krejmas, manager of engineering programs at GE's Flight Test Operation in California. "We obtained valuable data to support Boeing's engine/aircraft FAR25 certification program before the first flight of the Boeing 777-300ER."
The GE90-115B, which is being certified at an unprecedented 115,000 pounds of thrust, is the powerplant for Boeing's new longer-range 777-300ER and 777-200LR aircraft. The 777-300ER will enter passenger service in early 2004.
Air France, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, EVA Air, International Lease Finance Corporation, Pakistan International Airlines, and GE Capital Aviation Services have ordered a total of 61 longer-range 777s powered by the GE90-115B engine. The engine orders are valued at more than $2 billion.
Snecma Moteurs, IHI, and FiatAvio are participants on the GE90-115B engine program.
GE Aircraft Engines, a division of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is the world's leading manufacturer of jet engines for civil and military aircraft, including engines produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of Snecma of France and GE. GEAE also manufactures gas turbines, derived from its highly successful jet engine programs, for marine and industrial applications. In addition, GEAE provides comprehensive maintenance support, through its GE Engine Services operation, for GE and non-GE jet engines in service throughout the world. Visit GEAE online at http://www.geae.com.
Rick Kennedy
GE Aviation
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