Engines
Improved GEnx-1B for Boeing 787 Slips to Next Year
In a six-year development program, GE has tested more than 50 GEnx engines, logging 38,000 ground and flight cycles and accumulating 43,000 hours’ engine-running experience. (Photo: GE Aviation)
In a six-year development program, GE has tested more than 50 GEnx engines, logging 38,000 ground and flight cycles and accumulating 43,000 hours’ engine-running experience. (Photo: GE Aviation)

Completion of certification testing of improved General Electric GEnx-1B engines aimed at meeting Boeing fuel-consumption specifications for the 787 has slipped to “early next year” from the previous fourth-quarter 2012 target. By November 29, some 40 GEnx-1B engines in operation had recorded 33,000 hours and 6,700 cycles, during which they performed better than expected, reported the manufacturer. “The engine [has] demonstrated a two-percent fuel-burn advantage over competitors,” it said in a written response to queries from AIN last week. “We anticipate maintaining this when the [improved] engine enters service.”