Attached To 747 Test Bed

General Electric's GEnx engine took to the skies Thursday over Victorville, CA, marking the start of flight-testing on GE's 747 flying test-bed. During the three-hour first flight, the GEnx-1B engine demonstrated aircraft systems and instrumentation functionality, climbed to more than 43,000 feet and established engine performance baselines for flight-testing.

"The engine performed extremely well, and we look forward to gaining additional valuable information on the engine's capabilities from flight-testing," said Tom Brisken, general manager of the GEnx program. "Today's flight puts us another step closer to certification later this year on the GEnx-1B engine for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner."

Preparations for the first GEnx flight on GE's flying test-bed began more than two years ago.

GE says the electrical system requirements for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner posed unique challenges. GE's 747 flying test-bed was modified to manage the electrical load from the engine's two starter-generators and to provide the power necessary for electrical ground and air starts. The modifications were completed last month, and the GEnx-1B engine was installed in the inboard location on the left wing of the aircraft in just one day.

The GEnx flight test team has a rigorous schedule ahead, with about three flights per week over the next three months. These flight-tests will evaluate the steady-state and transient performance of the engine, verify air re-starting capability, determine the combustor operability margins, validate throttle response and assess the nacelle and undercowl cooling characteristics.

The majority of the flight tests will occur in Victorville, CA with hot-day assessments taking place in Yuma, AZ and high-altitude takeoff evaluations occurring in Colorado Springs, CO. A second round of flight-testing later this year will focus on the engine control system.

FMI: www.geae.com