Air China Launches CFM56-3 Time On Wing Upgrade Package In China
Published on 4th November 2002
ZHUHAI, CHINA November 4, 2002 Air China has become the second customer for the CFM56-3 Time on Wing (TOW) upgrade with a $6 million order for five kits for its Boeing 737-300 aircraft fleet. The upgrade kit, which features advanced three dimensional high pressure compressor aerodynamics (3-D aero) and new high pressure turbine hardware, was certified in June. Air China will begin taking delivery later this year.
CFM56 engines are produced by CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs (Safran Group) of France and General Electric of the United States.
The CFM56-3 TOW package was launched by Southwest Airlines in 2001 with an order for 300 kits. More than 4,200 CFM56-3 engines have been produced for the Boeing 737-300/-400/-500 series, representing a tremendous long-term market potential for the engine upgrade package.
Air China operates a fleet of 19 737-300 aircraft powered by the CFM56-3. The TOW upgrade, which will be installed during normal overhaul, will significantly improve fuel burn through a 1 percent improvement in specific fuel consumption, as well as up to 15 degrees additional exhaust gas temperature (EGT) margin, which reduces maintenance costs through longer on-wing life. CFM56-3 engines average 16,000 hours on wing before requiring an initial shop visit, and about 10,000 hours after overhaul. The TOW core upgrade will improve post-overhaul time on wing by as much 1,500 to 2,000 cycles. Also, lower operating temperatures, coupled with material improvements, reduce operating costs.
"This is a strategic win for us," said Bob Barton, general manager of Upgrade Sales for CFM. "Air China is a long-time customer and we're happy to have the opportunity to put that relationship on a new level. It also provides us with a great opportunity to demonstrate the overall value this upgrade can bring to Chinese airlines, which operate 350 CFM56-3 engines.
CFM56 engines are produced by CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs (Safran Group) of France and General Electric of the United States.
The CFM56-3 TOW package was launched by Southwest Airlines in 2001 with an order for 300 kits. More than 4,200 CFM56-3 engines have been produced for the Boeing 737-300/-400/-500 series, representing a tremendous long-term market potential for the engine upgrade package.
Air China operates a fleet of 19 737-300 aircraft powered by the CFM56-3. The TOW upgrade, which will be installed during normal overhaul, will significantly improve fuel burn through a 1 percent improvement in specific fuel consumption, as well as up to 15 degrees additional exhaust gas temperature (EGT) margin, which reduces maintenance costs through longer on-wing life. CFM56-3 engines average 16,000 hours on wing before requiring an initial shop visit, and about 10,000 hours after overhaul. The TOW core upgrade will improve post-overhaul time on wing by as much 1,500 to 2,000 cycles. Also, lower operating temperatures, coupled with material improvements, reduce operating costs.
"This is a strategic win for us," said Bob Barton, general manager of Upgrade Sales for CFM. "Air China is a long-time customer and we're happy to have the opportunity to put that relationship on a new level. It also provides us with a great opportunity to demonstrate the overall value this upgrade can bring to Chinese airlines, which operate 350 CFM56-3 engines.
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About CFM International
A 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, CFM International has redefined international cooperation and helped change the course of commercial aviation since its founding in 1974. Today, CFM is the world's leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines with a product line that sets the industry standard for efficiency, reliability, durability, and optimized cost of ownership. CFM International produces the LEAP family of engines and supports LEAP and CFM56 fleets for operators worldwide.
www.cfmaeroengines.com