RENO, Nevada - Since the formal launch of GE Aircraft Engines' CF34-8C1 turbofan engine development test program in April of last year, component design and performance verification has been progressing steadily, with many test results exceeding expectations.

By the close of 1996, most of the engine's major components had been on test and had accumulated approximately 270 development test hours. Testing covered the engine's exhaust nozzle system, fan tolerance to bird strikes, fan containment, compressor aerodynamic and mechanical evaluation, preliminary combustor performance, and low-pressure turbine aero testing, which exceeded design point efficiency objectives. The second phase of -8C1 fan testing, which was completed in April of this year at European Gas Turbine's facility in Whetstone, England, demonstrated the capability and effectiveness of the engine's Kevlar containment ring. The results of combustor tests, also conducted in April, exceeded targets for pattern factor and temperature profile and verified the combustor's long-life characteristics.

"Our recent fan and combustor testing continues to give us a high degree of confidence in the progress of the -8C1 program," said Lloyd Thompson, general manager of the Small Commercial Turbofan Department of GE Aircraft Engines. "We're accumulating hardware at a good rate, and we're on schedule to meet our core engine and first full engine tests scheduled for late this year. We anticipate very good results from our combustor emission tests in May, and we'll be on test with our optimized compressor design in August. We expect to accumulate about 350 total component and engine test hours this year."

The CF34-8C1 turbofan is in the 14,000 pound thrust class and has been selected by Bombardier to power the new 70-passenger Canadair Regional Jet Series 700. FAA engine certification is expected in the fourth quarter of 1999.