Flight testing of the new Airbus Industrie A319, powered by CFM56-5A and CFM56-5B engines, is nearing completion with the aircraft on schedule for certification and entry into service by mid-year.
The CFM56-5B-powered A319, which has flown more than 205 hours in more than 96 flights, has met or exceeded all requirements. For the early tests (the first 185 hours), Airbus Industrie flew the A319 with an intermix of -5B engines equipped with the single annular combustor and with CFMI's double annular combustor (DAC) in order to certify both configurations on the aircraft. The remaining flights of the 250-hour program will be completed with the DAC.
The flight test program is scheduled to conclude later this month and the CFM56-5B will be certified on the A319 in March. The first aircraft will be delivered to International Lease Finance Corporation in April.
The CFM56-5A has also experienced a trouble-free flight test program. The engine has logged more than 80 hours of its 100-hour program and is on schedule for certification in May. The first -5A-powered A319 will be delivered to Air Inter in June.
The CFM56-5 is produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of Snecma (Safran Group) of France and General Electric of the United States.