LE BOURGET - In August 1971, the first CF6 engine entered revenue service, and GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) is marking the 30-year anniversary with the introduction of its newest CF6 engine, the CF6-80E1A3.Certification of the CF6-80E1A3 by the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) is targeted for next month, followed by certification by the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) in September. Entry into service, powering an Airbus Industrie A330-200 aircraft of launch customer Air France, is scheduled for December of this year.The CF6-80E1A3 has the highest thrust rating within the CF6 family at 72,000 pounds (320 kN). The engine will incorporate the R88DT high-pressure turbine rotor proven on the CF6-80C2 and a new 3-D aerodynamic compressor. These improvements will lower operating temperatures, increase exhaust gas temperature margin, and increase engine time on wing while retaining the demonstrated CF6 stall-free reliability. The improvements will be incorporated in the entire -80E product line, providing the customer the added operational flexibility of a common engine build regardless of thrust rating.The estimated cumulative noise level of the CF6-80E1A3 will meet, with margin, the proposed, more stringent FAA 36 Stage 4 regulations. Similarly, all the CF6-80E1 engines are well within the ICAO CAEP 4 standards, to be introduced in 2004, for emissions of NO_X, hydrocarbons, smoke and carbon monoxide.Approval of the CF6-80E1A3 for 180-minute ETOPS (extended-range twin-engine operation) on the A330 reflects the superior demonstrated reliability of the CF6 family: the CF6-80C2 and -80E1 engines were the first to provide 120- and 180-minute ETOPS operation on Airbus A300, A310 and A330 and Boeing 767 aircraft."CF6 engines have flown more hours in commercial service than any other high bypass engine--over 212 million hours according to the most recent data," said Roger Seager, general manager of the CF6 Project at GEAE. "In compiling those hours, the engines have earned a reputation for outstanding reliability and customer value, as well as minimal noise and emissions, and the CF6-80E1A3 will continue in that tradition of excellence."