Flight testing of the General Electric CF34-8C growth engine has begun at Mojave, California using the company's Boeing 747 flying testbed. The flights, which are due for completion in June, provide the certification platform for three -8 growth versions aimed at the new generation regional airliners - the -8C5 for Bombardier's CRJ900, the -8E for Embraer's ERJ-170 and the -8D for the Fairchild Dornier 728JET. The engine, due for certification with a rating of 14,500lb thrust (64.5kN) in the second quarter of next year, is due for first flight on the CRJ900 in the third quarter of this year. The prototype CRJ900 is currently powered by the CF34-8C1.
Source: Flight International
