Boeing 747-8 Engine Flight Tests Begin

Guy Norris guy_norris@aviationweek.com

General Electric has kicked off flight tests of the GEnx-2B engine for the Boeing 747-8 on its 747 flying testbed.

The engine was carried aloft for the first time during a five-hour flight on March 23 from the company's flight test facility at Victorville, Calif. The flight included tests of aircraft systems and instrumentation functionality, as well as engine performance baseline work.

GE says about 40 flights with the engine are planned for this spring and summer. The engine, which shares the engine core and 80% of the line replaceable units of the GEnx-1B engine developed for the 787, is slated for certification this year. The GEnx-1B engine made its first flight on the 747 testbed in February 2007, but has yet to power the 787 - first flight of which is currently around 19 months behind schedule.

The engine is the sole powerplant choice for the 747-8, the first of which is currently entering final assembly in Everett, Wash. The newest member of the 747-8 family, although significantly delayed by last year's machinists strike and wing re-design issues, is expected to roll out in August and fly around September-October.

GE says more than 400 GEnx-2B engines have been sold on the 747-8 Intercontinental and Freighter to-date.

Together with GEnx-1B engines sold on the 787, this brings total GEnx sales to more than 1,100 engines, making it the fastest-selling big engine in GE history.

Photo credit: GE