The first 777-200ER powered by General Electric's 94,000lb-thrust (418kN) GE90-94B engines made its maiden flight from Everett to Boeing Field on 12 June. The Air France testbed aircraft is expected to complete the certification programme by early August and will be used to validate better fuel efficiency and improved exhaust gas temperature margins anticipated from the new engine. The -94B incorporates a three-dimensional-aerodynamics design high-pressure compressor which will also form part of the core of the 115,000lb-thrust GE90-115B under development for the 777-200LR and -300ER derivatives. The first -94B powered 777 is to be delivered to Air France in November.
Source: Flight International
