The unannounced customer for the first corporate Airbus A319CJ has selected CFM International CFM56 engines to power the aircraft, specifying the higher-thrust variant used on the larger A320.
The move has prompted Airbus to consider offering the higher-weight version of the A319 to airline customers interested in a longer-range version of the twinjet.
The first A319CJ to be delivered will be fitted with 120kN (27,000lb)-thrust CFM56-5B7/Ps, says Jean-Pierre Cojan, Snecma vice-president commercial engines sales. He was speaking at the show yesterday.
The A319 has previously been sold to airlines with 98-105kN (22,000-23,500lb)-thrust versions of the CFM56, he says.
Although the CFM56-5B7/P develops the same take-off thrust as the version used on the A320, changes to the power management system mean that the engines produce more power during climb.
This ensures improved time-to-height performance and helps to reduce block-times which is an important factor in the VIP market, says Cojan.
Source: Flight Daily News
