Guggenheim Aviation Partners Orders GEnx-powered Boeing 747-8 Aircraft

EVENDALE, OHIO -- Guggenheim Aviation Partners, LLC (GAP), the U.S.-based aviation investment firm, has ordered four Boeing 747-8 aircraft with an option for an additional two freighters. The aircraft will be powered by GEnx engines. 

The engine order is valued at more than $175 million. Delivery is scheduled to begin in 2009. 

The GEnx is based on the highly successful GE90 architecture. It will succeed GE's CF6 engine family, which is the most reliable and best-selling engine on wide-body aircraft. It provides significantly better specific fuel consumption and payload performance than GE's CF6 engines. 

Testing began earlier this year on the GEnx engine, with engine certification scheduled for 2007. The GEnx is the best-selling engine for new wide-body aircraft with orders exceeding 780 engines from 24 customers. 

Powering the new Boeing 747-8F, the GEnx provides significantly better specific fuel consumption and payload performance than the CF6. The GEnx engine is the world's only jet engine with both a front fan case and fan blades made of composites, which provide for greater engine durability, weight reduction and lower operating costs. The GEnx also features a new combustor for efficient fuel mixing prior to ignition, resulting in significantly lower oxides of nitrogen (Nox) levels. 

The GEnx is part of GE's "ecomagination" product portfolio-GE's commitment to develop new, cost-effective technologies that enhance customers' environmental and operating performance. 

GE - Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of jet engines for civil and military aircraft. GE is also the world's leading provider of maintenance and support services for jet engines.