Dreamliner Turbofans Slated For Cert Later This Year

Representatives with Rolls-Royce tell ANN the first pair of Trent 1000 engines has been shipped by Rolls-Royce for installation on the Boeing 787. The engines were dispatched from the company's Derby, UK facilities on schedule.

"As the launch powerplant on the 787, the Trent 1000 has the special responsibility of leading the program, and dispatching the first set of engines is a proud moment for the Rolls-Royce team, our partners and suppliers," said Dominic Horwood, Director - Boeing Program at Rolls-Royce. "It is also a testament to the great cooperation we enjoy with our colleagues in Boeing. I'm sure all those involved, especially our Trent 1000 customers, will share our excitement when the 787 is revealed for the first time."

That moment is scheduled for July 8, 2007.

As ANN reported, Boeing decided in 2004 on two engine choices for the Dreamliner -- the Trent 1000, and General Electric's GEnx turbofans. Certification tests are well underway, and Rolls-Royce said last month it expects to earn FAA and EASA approvals for the powerplant on the 787 by the time the plane takes to the skies on its first flight, slated for sometime from late August through September.

The engine type is the launch engine for all three current variants of the 787 Dreamliner. Rolls-Royce earned that distinction in May, when Air New Zealand converted its four orders for 787-8s to the larger -9 model.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.rolls-royce.com