GE is steadily advancing toward its goal of concurrent certification of its CF34-8C5, -8D and -8E engines during the second quarter of 2002.
All three engines should then be in flight test on three different aircraft on three continents simultaneously: the CF34-8C5 powering the Bombardier CRJ900 in North America; the CF34-8D powering the Fairchild Dornier 728JET in Europe; and the CF34-8E powering the Embraer ERJ 170 in South America.
Following flight test, the ERJ 170 is scheduled to enter service with launch customer Crossair in 2002; the CRJ900, with Mesa Airlines in 2003; and the 728JET, with Lufthansa Cityline in 2003.
The CF34-8C5, -8D and -8E share a common core and are all rated at 14,500lb (64 kN) thrust. Each is a growth derivative of the CF34-8C1, rated at 13,800 pounds thrust, which entered service in January of this year, powering a Bombardier 70-passenger CRJ700 airliner of Brit Air.
Passengers
Total firm orders for the entire series of CF34-8 engines currently exceeds 870, and options exceed 1,320. GE's next step within the CF34 family is the 18,500lb thrust CF34-10 series.
The CF34-10D will power the Fairchild Dornier 928JET, which accommodates 85-110 passengers, while the CF34-10E will power the Embraer ERJ 190, with a capacity of 98-108 passengers. The engines are currently in final design, and testing of the first complete engine is to begin in May of next year, with certification targeted for March 2003.
Total firm orders for the CF34-10 series already number more than 65, and options number more than 145.
Since entering airline service in 1992, CF34-3 engines have accumulated more than seven million flight hours powering Bombardier CRJ100 and CRJ200 airliners in service with more than 35 operators worldwide. With 950 installed engines plus more than 1,700 firm orders and 1,500 options production has been increased to more than 420 CF34-3B1 engines this year.
Source: Flight Daily News
