787 engine performs well in first test flight (Initial step toward certifying design)

Seattle Post-Intelligencer ^ | Friday, February 23, 2007 | James Wallace, P-I aerospace reporter

[Paleo Conservative]

Here's another story on this in Flight International.

DATE: 23/02/07
SOURCE:Flight Daily News

Boeing 787 makes first flight on 747 testbed

By Guy Norris

General Electric’s GEnx-1B engine for the Boeing 787 took to the air for the first time yesterday attached below the left wing of the company’s 747 flying testbed (pictured below).

Leaving and returning to its Victorville, California base, the three hour sortie marks the start of an intense test and certification campaign aimed at completion in September 2007.

During the first flight the engine was carried aloft to 43,000ft (13,000m) and was tested to establish engine performance baseline for the remainder of flight testing. This will be divided into two main phases, an initial three-month period focusing on steady-state and transient performance, air-starts, combustor operability margins and throttle response, and a second, shorter phase looking at the engine control system.

Flight tests of the GEnx-1B on the 787 itself are due to begin around October 2007 with two test aircraft involved. European Aviation Safety Agency engine certification is due in the first quarter of 2008 and US Federal Aviation Requirement Part 25 aircraft certification for the GE-powered 787 due around mid-second quarter 2008.

The version under test is the GEnx-1B64, rated at around 64,000lb-thrust (285kN) for the initial 787-8 model.

[Paleo Conservative]

If you want on or off my aerospace ping list, please contact me by Freep mail.

[bondjamesbond]

Looking at that photo, it makes you wonder if the 747 could be modified to take two more powerful next generation engines, instead of the current four. If Boeing could get the cost per seat mile down even more, Airbus would be in a World of hurt.

[r9etb]

The new engine has both a front fan case and fan blades made of composites, which provide for greater engine durability, weight reduction and lower operating costs.

Interesting. I wonder how those blades will react to the "ingest a goose" test.

[r9etb]

Looking at that photo, it makes you wonder if the 747 could be modified to take two more powerful next generation engines, instead of the current four. If Boeing could get the cost per seat mile down even more, Airbus would be in a World of hurt.

Interesting idea. I'd bet they're looking at it for all of their planes.

[bondjamesbond]

Does GE have a 92,000# model planned?

[Young Werther]

A new VERSA cockpit annunciation system, similar to previous version which date back to the B-47 and B-52 and B-58 will say:

"Pass the Pate!"

[domenad]

Man, I wish we had a test like that in the bridge industry. Best we get is a bridge setting down on top of a pigeon here and there.

[r9etb]

Took me a minute ... but, LOL!

[COEXERJ145]

The engine will be tested by firing dead birds into it. It's actually a pretty neat test to witness.

Also, composite fan blades aren't new. The GE90 series of engines also use them and have for over a decade now.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

That would be something to see

[Gay State Conservative]

At the risk of seeming stupid,whatever happened to Pratt & Whitney engines? Was P&W bought up by GE? I know that P&W engines used to be,along with RR,about the most frequently employed engines on commercial airliners.

[Young Werther]

War Story Alert!

The first VERSA was installed on the B-58 Hustler. During tests it didn't gain the pilots attention. Psychologists were asked to determine what type of voice was needed. They studied everything from actors to cartoon characters but nothing worked. Finally they recommended a Sexy Female Voice was needed.

Try as they might they couldn't find that "voice". One day the Psychologist who was heading he project called HQ SAC to give an update. LO and BEHOLD the telephone operator fit the bill. When he asked her name she wouldn't give it but just her Operator Number. Standard Procedure dontcha know!

The Psychologis rushed to Omaha and found the Operator. She was a 57 year old Grandma but after that she was known as the sexiest female voice in SAC! True Story!

[Paleo Conservative]

Do you think any of the GENx technology might get incorporated into upgrades of existing engines? A lot of the burn improvement comes from the new combustor unit. It also is the reason for decreased NO_x emissions from the GENx engines. GE and Snecma are putting an improved combustor unit in their existing CFM-56 engines in their Tech Insertion program.

[Ramius]

Heh. That's a fun story.

[Paleo Conservative]

At the risk of seeming stupid,whatever happened to Pratt & Whitney engines?

P&W is mostly making military engines like the ones for the F-22 and F-35. They have collaborated with GE on GP7200 Alliance engines developed for the A380. GE built the core, and P&W built the fans. They are also the designated engine for the KC-767 offering to replace the KC-135 fleet. I thought the derivative of the GENx that will be developed for the 747-8 would be a better choice.

[COEXERJ145]

Pratt & Whitney has all but abandoned the market for large commercial engines to GE and Rolls Royce. A lot of this has to do with the fact that the P&W engines have only been ordered by a few airlines for the 777. They've decided to concentrate on engines for the future 737/A320 replacements as well as for larger regional jets.

[Paleo Conservative]

They've decided to concentrate on engines for the future 737/A320 replacements as well as for larger regional jets.

Any chance, they'll ever get their geared turbofan concept to actually work?

[COEXERJ145]

Last time I heard they were still working on it.