EVENDALE, Ohio--The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified the GE90-115B, the world's most powerful jet engine, at an unprecedented 115,000 pounds of thrust. The certification marks the end of a 20-month certification program for the engine, which is scheduled to enter airline service in n 2004.
The GE90-115B is the powerplant for Boeing's new longer-range 777-300ER and -200LR aircraft. Airlines and leasing companies have ordered a total of 66 longer-range 777s powered by the GE90-115B, with the engine orders valued at more than $2.5 billion.
Since February, Boeing has been flight testing the 777-300ER, powered by the GE90-115B, and expects to achieve FAA and European Joint Aviation Authorities certification for this engine/airplane combination in December 2003.
"The GE90-115B certification is the culmination of the tremendous effort by the GE90 team," said Chaker Chahrour, general manager for the GE90 Project. "This has been a rigorous and thorough certification and test program that will continue well after the engine enters revenue service. Our four-year GE90-115B maturation test program will provide further insight into the durability and reliability of the engine in an ETOPS (Extended Range Twin Engine Operations) environment. The GE90-115B will set the standard for all future engines."
The GE90-115B maturation test program begins this summer, and includes three engines (with Boeing engine build-up equipment installed), and will ultimately simulate approximately 20 years of airline service. The data collected from a combined total of more than 30,000 simulated flight cycles will help GE identify causes and implement improvements to avoid potential causes of unscheduled maintenance events.
Snecma Moteurs, IHI and FiatAvio are participants on the GE90-115B engine program.
GE Aircraft Engines, a division of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE http://www.ge.com), is the worlds leading manufacturer of jet engines for civil and military aircraft. 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.