Jeff Apter

Sichuan Snecma Aero-engine Maintenance Co. (SSAMC), a joint venture between Snecma Services, Air China and Willis Lease Finance Corp., has signed an exclusive 20-year maintenance, repair and overhaul agreement to service CFM56-5B and -7B engines powering Air China’s growing fleet of 160 aircraft. The deal covers the expansion of the SSAMC facility in Chengdu, which specializes in CFM56-3 engines, to allow it to work on -5B and -7B variants beginning in 2008. SSAMC already provides service for other Chinese operators, including Hainan Airlines, and wants more third-party business.

Meanwhile, Snecma parent Safran recently reached a framework agreement with China’s AVIC II group to license produce some components and modules for 200 Turbomeca Arriel 2C engines. The turboshafts are to power China’s new H425 light helicopter, designed and produced by AVIC II subsidiary Harbin Aviation Industry. The engine components and modules will be made by another AVIC II company, the China National South Aero Engine Corp. (SAEC), which since the 1980s has produced the Arriel 1 engine under license.

Turbomeca has also suggested cooperation with AVIC II on its Ardiden engine for five-ton-class helicopters and especially for the new Eurocopter 175 helicopter. At the same time, Safran landing gear subsidiary Messier-Dowty is bidding to join the program, and its sibling Sagem Defense Securite wants to supply the autopilot and other avionics.

Francois Courtot, Safran’s senior vice president for international development, told Aviation International News that Turbomeca is also negotiating to establish another joint venture with Beijing Changkong Machinery Ltd. to assemble and test Arriel 1 and Arrius 2F regulators. The French group has already announced a plan for a joint venture production of low-pressure turbine blades and nozzles for CFM56 engines at Guiyang in China.

Since the merger last year of Snecma and Sagem to form Safran, the new group employs 3,400 people in its joint ventures and in its offices in China. The four joint venture production plants include the landing gear components producer at Suzhou, near Shanghai, and the civil aircraft repair shop at Chengdu. The two other facilities manufacture mobile telephones at Ningbo and smartcards at Wuhan. In addition, nine Chinese factories in the AVIC I and AVIC II groups manufacture many high-tech components for CFM56 airliner engines, helicopter powerplant and landing gear.

Courtot said that India is also an important part of Safran’s business strategy in Asia. One business opportunity is a 50/50 joint venture with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. that will manufacture aircraft and helicopter engines starting mid-year.

The group already employs 300 engineers at Safran Aerospace India, which designs aerospace components and software. Courtot confirmed that Safran is seeking an airline that operates with around 300 engines as a partner in its plan for a new CFM engine maintenance center in India. He believes this project could come to fruition in the next two years. Safran’s Snecma operation is a 50/50 partner with General Electric in the CFM International aero engine joint venture.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Safran profits from spirit of Sino-French cooperation

Sichuan Snecma Aero-engine Maintenance Co.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

One engine would be able to run at low-idle in a twin-engine helicopter application

FAA Proposes Special Conditions for PW220A Idle Cruise

Charles Alcock

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Improved engine production and test facilities are mainly focused on military programs

Rolls-Royce Completes $1 Billion Engine Site Upgrade

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

The first hybrid-electric flights above 30,000 feet, as well as the first across the North Atlantic, GE says.

GE Aerospace and Beta Technologies Cross Atlantic in Hybrid-electric Saab 340B Commuter Aircraft

Australian start-up planned to convert Beechcraft Bonanza and 1900D aircraft

Lack of Funding Shuts Hydrogen Propulsion Pioneer Stralis

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Turboshaft has flown more than 600 hours after first flight in March 2023

EASA Issues Type Certificate for AW09 Arriel 2K Engine

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Engines

FAA Proposes Special Conditions for PW220A Idle Cruise

One engine would be able to run at low-idle in a twin-engine helicopter application

Rolls-Royce Completes $1 Billion Engine Site Upgrade

Improved engine production and test facilities are mainly focused on military programs

GE Aerospace and Beta Technologies Cross Atlantic in Hybrid-electric Saab 340B Commuter Aircraft

The first hybrid-electric flights above 30,000 feet, as well as the first across the North Atlantic, GE says.

Lack of Funding Shuts Hydrogen Propulsion Pioneer Stralis

Australian start-up planned to convert Beechcraft Bonanza and 1900D aircraft

EASA Issues Type Certificate for AW09 Arriel 2K Engine

Turboshaft has flown more than 600 hours after first flight in March 2023

FAA’s Rocheleau Admits Unleaded Avgas Timeline May Slip

Deadline of Dec. 31, 2030 may have to be moved if a suitable fuel isn't available

Sikorsky and Safran Pledge Increased Collaboration

Proposal promises accelerated engine innovation

Canada Could Keep Gripen Engine Work at Home

GE and Magellan sign F414 support agreement

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN