Fri, Feb 23, 2007
Attached To 747 Test Bed
General Electric's GEnx engine took
to the skies Thursday over Victorville, CA, marking the start of
flight-testing on GE's 747 flying test-bed. During the three-hour
first flight, the GEnx-1B engine demonstrated aircraft systems and
instrumentation functionality, climbed to more than 43,000 feet and
established engine performance baselines for flight-testing.
"The engine performed extremely well, and we look forward to
gaining additional valuable information on the engine's
capabilities from flight-testing," said Tom Brisken, general
manager of the GEnx program. "Today's flight puts us another step
closer to certification later this year on the GEnx-1B engine for
the Boeing 787 Dreamliner."
Preparations for the first GEnx flight on GE's flying test-bed
began more than two years ago.
GE says the electrical system requirements for the Boeing 787
Dreamliner posed unique challenges. GE's 747 flying test-bed was
modified to manage the electrical load from the engine's two
starter-generators and to provide the power necessary for
electrical ground and air starts. The modifications were completed
last month, and the GEnx-1B engine was installed in the inboard
location on the left wing of the aircraft in just one day.
The GEnx flight test team has a rigorous schedule ahead, with
about three flights per week over the next three months. These
flight-tests will evaluate the steady-state and transient
performance of the engine, verify air re-starting capability,
determine the combustor operability margins, validate throttle
response and assess the nacelle and undercowl cooling
characteristics.
The majority of the flight tests will occur in Victorville, CA
with hot-day assessments taking place in Yuma, AZ and high-altitude
takeoff evaluations occurring in Colorado Springs, CO. A second
round of flight-testing later this year will focus on the engine
control system.
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