First Flight Of GP7200 Scheduled For '06

The Engine Alliance -- an equal partnership between General Electric and Pratt & Whitney, and whose GP7200 engine is to power over half the confirmed customer-ordered A380s -- has completed all the required tests for certification of the powerplant by the US Federal Aviation Administration. The completion of the tests, with expected certification by the end of the year, clears the way for first flight on the A380 in 2006.

"The GP7200 has been put through as tough a development and certification program as any engine has undergone, meeting both new FAA requirements and Airbus requirements for maturity at entry into service," said Bruce Hughes, president of the EA.

"This engine, even though it will fly on the four-engine A380, meets all the demanding requirements for extended range operations on a twin-engine airliner," continued Hughes. "This is a rock-solid engine that will be a great performer for our customers."

According to a company release, the GP7200 ran at more than 94,000 pounds of thrust during the testing program -- significantly higher than initial service requirements of 70,000 pounds of thrust. So far, the GP7200 has accumulated nearly 3000 hours and 7000 cycles of testing (a cycle is the equivalent of one takeoff and landing).

The Engine Alliance delivered the first four GP7200 flight-test engines to Airbus in September. All GP7200 engines that have been through production - acceptance testing to date have demonstrated performance levels at or better than the Airbus fuel burn specification.

The GP7200 will also allow the superjumbo to meet Stage 4 noise regulations, as well as QC2 noise rules, according to the company.

FMI: www.enginealliance.com