Demo Powerplant Will Be Run Up To Maximum Thrust Levels

GE Honda Aero Engines tells ANN the enginemaker has begun testing the first full HF120 demonstration engine -- including maximum thrust levels -- at Honda's Aircraft Engine R&D Center in Japan.

Over the next five months, GE Honda will conduct an array of tests on several HF120 demonstrator engine builds to verify performance operability, thermal characteristics, and component efficiencies.

This full-engine testing follows several months of engine core (hot section) tests on several builds of hardware, as ANN reported in May.

GE Honda says the aggressive HF120 test schedule this year is geared to validate significant design enhancements to the engine before full certification testing begins in 2008. Currently, the company is finalizing and releasing hardware for the seven HF120 engines in the certification program.

"This is an exciting and intense period in the development program," said Bill Dwyer, president of GE Honda Aero Engines. "We are validating our latest design enhancements through as much core- and full-engine testing as possible before the first certification engines are assembled and tested."

The GE Honda H120 engine was formally launched in October 2006, when it was selected to power both the HondaJet advanced light jet and the Spectrum Aeronautical "Freedom" business jet. To date, more than 200 HF120 engines are on order.

HF120 certification is targeted for 2009, with entry into service on both aircraft scheduled to begin in 2010.

FMI: www.gehonda.com