CFM International says it is “very pleased” with the performance of its Leap-1C engine so far, and it has started building engines to be delivered for Comac’s C919 flight test programme.
Speaking to reporters at Airshow China in Zhuhai, its president and chief executive Jean-Paul Ebanga says the development of the Leap-1C is “going well” and that it has accumulated over 75 flight hours on the Boeing 747 testbed. The engine’s maiden flight took place on 6 October.
“We’re very pleased about where we stand today. We’re on time and on specs. The programme will continue to do well between now and the development phase,” he adds.
Ebanga would not say when CFM is scheduled to deliver the first engines to Comac, but stresses that it will support the Chinese airframer’s timeline and deliver on time. The engine is scheduled to be certificated in 2015.
Comac is working towards an end-2015 first flight for its C919.
CFM is forecasting a demand for more than 4,200 single-aisle aircraft in China over the next 20 years, and says that it is well-positioned considering the Leap engine will be applied on the Airbus A320neo, the Boeing 737 Max and the C919.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
