Airbus A380 engine suppliers Rolls-Royce and the General Electric/Pratt & Whitney Engine Alliance are gearing up for the next phase of their development programmes. The former will begin flight testing next year, while the latter is preparing to begin its first full engine test.
"We've got five development Trent 900s running, and will begin altitude tests at the AEDC Tullahoma [Tennessee, USA] facility in the next few weeks," says R-R managing director airlines, Charles Cuddington. "The engine's performance is 'on spec' for weight and fuel consumption, and it has met its emissions targets. It's now officially the world's lowest emission large fan engine." Trent 900 flight testing will begin in May on Airbus's A340-300 development aircraft in Toulouse. The blade-off test is due to be carried out "just prior to this flight testing", says R-R.
Cuddington says the engine is on schedule for certification in October. "This will enable us to start building production engines and deliveries to Airbus will begin in late 2004." The engine is the lead powerplant on the A380, and the first aircraft is scheduled to fly in early 2005, with deliveries beginning in the first quarter of 2006.
Cuddington says R-R has discussed Airbus's potential requirement for a slightly higher thrust rating from entry into service to cater for a proposed higher maximum take-off weight. "It's no problem if they want more thrust," he says.
Meanwhile, the Engine Alliance says it is assembling hardware to carry out the first full engine test of the GP7200 in early 2004. Initial certification tests will be carried out during the next 12 months, ahead of flight testing on GE's Boeing 747 test aircraft in late 2004. Engine certification is set for mid-2005. First flight on an A380 is due in 2005.
Source: Flight International
