SINGAPORE - The performance of the GE90 engine, which already offers advantages over competitors' engines in the vital areas of fuel burn, noise, emissions and reliability, will be enhanced through the introduction of new technologies that will further increase customer value through longer on-wing life and improved hot-day performance capabilities.
Specifically, fuel burn is improved and exhaust gas temperature is reduced, primarily through the application of advanced airfoil design tools-in particular, 3-dimensional aerodynamic design codes-but also through optimization of the rotor-to-stator clearances in the fan and turbines.
Core engine testing, full engine ground and flight testing, and engine certification testing are to be conducted this year, with engine certification targeted for 1999 in support of entry into revenue service in 2000.
Initially certified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1995, the GE90-powered Boeing 777 aircraft was certified just last month by the Interstate Aviation Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), enabling airlines of Russia and other CIS nations to begin operation of the world's largest twinjet.
Aeroflot Russian International Airlines, the first 777 operator in the CIS, is to take delivery of its first aircraft in April, followed by its second aircraft in October. Both are leased from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC).
In just over two years of service, GE90 engines have logged more than 180,000 flight hours on the 777 and have maintained an industry-leading dispatch reliability rate of 99.98 percent. In addition, the GE90 has delivered the lowest specific fuel consumption, the lowest noise levels, the lowest total emissions, and the best performance retention of the engines powering 777 aircraft-advantages derived from unique, value-added technologies, including composite fan blades, a 10-stage, high-pressure-ratio compressor, and a short, dual annular combustor.
Approximately 30 percent of all 777 aircraft currently in service and on order are powered by GE90 engines, but 45 percent of the newer, best-selling 777-200 IGW aircraft are powered by the GE90. In all, the GE90 has been selected to power 130 firm and option 777 aircraft for 11 customers. Of these, four customers have taken delivery of 30 GE90-powered 777s. During 1998, however, plans call for the number of airlines operating GE90-powered 777s, as well as the number of aircraft in the GE90-powered 777 fleet, to double.