GE Aviation is preparing to begin flight tests of its new Leap-1C and Passport engines featuring nacelles developed for them by the group’s Nexcelle joint venture with Safran subsidiary Aircelle. Last month, Nexcelle delivered the first full new-generation nacelles for both programs. They are due to fly soon on the engine maker’s Boeing 787 testbed. The Leap-1C is to power Comac’s C919 narrowbody airliner, while the Passport has been selected for Bombardier’s Global 7000 and 8000 business jets.
According to Nexcelle president Michel Abella, the primary goal for the integrated approach to designing the nacelles is to lower operators’s direct operating costs by contributing to improved performance of the engines and delivering improved reliability. For instance, overall installed weight has been reduced through using new pylon designs. He told AIN that significant improvements have been achieved by designing the nacelles under the concept of the integrated propulsion system (IPS) in closer engineering cooperation with those working on the rest of the powerplant, including the pylons and mounts.
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