Neelam Mathews

CFM International expects to meet its target for delivering 1,100 engines by the end of the year, as a once six-week schedule lag progressively dwindles thanks to what CEO Gael Meheust attributes&nbsp;to a strict dual-source supplier policy.&nbsp;“Production will be in line with the projected schedule by the end of this year,” said Meheust as he addressed reporters in New Delhi this week. “For each (engine) part, we have a dual supplier and sometimes even three…. [a reason] we have made the ramp up fast…We are on track for the next year.”&nbsp; He confirmed to AIN that the present production rate per year would nearly double to 2000 in 2020.&nbsp;

 


Referencing a turbine disc issue in Leap-1As for the Airbus A320neo and a batch of flawed metal discovered last May in some Leap-1B engines powering the Boeing 737 Max, Philippe Couteaux, executive vice president of sales and marketing for the GE-Safran joint venture, stressed that the problems had nothing to do with the engine’s design. “It was not a design issue,’ he said, but a “yield issue.”

 


“We are working with suppliers to improve the yield,” said Couteaux. “We are closing the gap actively….This year we will deliver more Leap engines than [CFM-56s]. We have never stopped delivery through all these months.”

 


Earlier this year, Indian budget carrier SpiceJet signed a ‘Power by the Hour’ contract with CFM to support 300 Leap-1Bs, and Vistara has signed a letter of intent covering delivery of another 50 A320/321neos powered by Leap-1As. Meawhile, the Leap's predecessor, the CFM56, has built a 64-percent market share in India versus its competition.&nbsp; “This has helped us develop a market for the Leap. [India] is a very promising market,” explained Couteaux, adding that particularly Indian carriers needed more efficient engines to counter a fuel cost burden that accounts for 34 percent of all their total expenses compared with 24 percent for the rest of the world. With entry into service of Jet Airways and SpiceJet Boeing 737 Max jets and Vistara’s A320neos, CFM faces a welcome challenge to satisfy the Indian market. “We need to produce engines to cope with the increase in fleet sizes,” said Couteaux.

 


The Leap-1A started commercial operations with the A320neo in 2016. It has drawn 32 global operators and powers 268 aircraft in service. The Leap-1B, the sole option for the 737 Max, has collected 41 operators and powers 219 aircraft. Separately, the first two China-designed Comac C919s, powered by CFM International’s Leap-1C integrated propulsion system, have begun flying. “The third one is ready to fly next week, [on October 16],” said Meheust. Nexcelle developed the Leap-1C’s composite O-Duct thrust reverser, to which a unique one-piece configuration contributes to a reduced overall structural weight and larger acoustic treatment surface. Nexcelle&nbsp;is a joint venture between Safran Nacelles and GE Aviation’s Middle River Aircraft Systems.

 


The more than 5,000 CFM engines to which Chinese airlines have committed include&nbsp;more than 1,000 Leap-1Cs

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

CFM ‘Closing Gap’ on Leap Delivery Target

Annual production to reach 2,000 by 2020

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