- The CFM56-5 engines that power the Airbus Industrie A320 family of aircraft continue to provide airline customers worldwide with the highest levels of reliability and maintainability, and the lowest overall cost of ownership in the industry.
CFM56-5 engines are produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs (Safran Group) of France and General Electric of the United States.
In 1999, Air France launched the CFM56-5B on the Airbus A318 when it selected the engine to power 15 firm, 10 option aircraft scheduled to begin delivery in 2003. As the only engine that can power every model of the A320 family with one bill of materials, the CFM56-5B provides airlines a distinct commonality advantage. The CFM56-5 is the engine of choice for the A320 family, having been selected to power nearly 60 percent of the A318/A319/A320/A321 aircraft ordered.
One of the primary factors behind the CFM56-5?s broad-based market acceptance has been its simple, rugged architecture, which gives it the highest reliability, durability, and repairability in its class. In addition, CFM continually invests in technology enhancements that make the engines even better.
CFM56-5 engines are averaging nearly 16,000 hours on wing prior to initial shop visit, and more than 10,000 hours after overhaul; no other engine in this thrust class can match this record. The CFM56-5 also has the advantage in global cost of ownership, which is determined by such factors as shop visit rate, life-limited parts, in-flight shutdown rate, delays and cancellations, and fuel burn.
The CFM56-5-powered A320 fleet currently in service has logged more than 20 million engine flight hours and 12.6 million cycles. The first A320 entered service powered by the CFM56-5A engine in 1988. In 1994, CFM expanded the thrust range from 22,000 to 33,000 pounds (97 to 147 kN) thrust with the introduction of the CFM56-5B. The company certified the advanced technology CFM56-5B/P, which is now the standard -5B configuration, in 1996 to provide operators with significant improvements in fuel consumption, engine reliability and durability. CFM also developed its advanced double annular combustor (DAC) for the Airbus A320 family. The DAC, which entered service in 1995 and has been selected by Air Europe Italy, Austrian, Edelweiss, Finnair, Sabena Belgian Airlines, and Swissair, and Volar? for their A320 aircraft, dramatically reduces NOx (oxides of nitrogen) emissions. CFM56 DAC emissions levels are approximately 50 percent below current requirements.