CFM56-5C/P On Schedule For August Certification, November EIS

June 16, 2003

5C/P has completed flight tests on the Airbus A340, paving the way for engine/aircraft certification in August. The first CFM56-5C/P-powered A340-300 is scheduled for delivery on the current A340-300 in October 2003, while the first A340-300 Enhanced will be delivered in February 2004.

The CFM56-5C, which powers the Airbus A340-200 and -300, is produced by CFM International (CFM). CFM, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs (Safran Group) of France and General Electric Company, is the world's leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines.

South African Airways launched the CFM56-5C/P program in early 2002 with an order for six aircraft. Swiss International Airlines, which is scheduled to be the first airline to take delivery, ordered 12 airplanes. The engine is being developed for both the A340 Enhanced aircraft and as an upgrade package for current CFM56-5C operators. Upgrade kits will be available by the end of this year. CFM sees a potential market for 500 engines/upgrade kits.

The -5C/P incorporates the advanced 3-D aerodynamic technology originally developed for the CFM56-5B/P, including the high-pressure compressor and high-pressure turbine design. Additional improvements have also been incorporated into the high-pressure turbine to enhance durability. Overall, the CFM56-5C/P provides operators a 1 percent improvement in specific fuel consumption and a 13° C improvement in exhaust gas temperature (EGT). This added margin will translate to 10 percent lower maintenance costs through longer time on wing. In August, CFM will complete back-to-back engines tests with an overhauled CFM56-5C engine to verify the benefits of the upgrade kit for current A340 operators.

The engine will maintain the CFM56-5C noise signature, which is the quietest in its class. The CFM56-5C-powered A340 meets all current noise regulations with a cumulative margin of 23 EPNdB (effective perceived noise in decibels). The CFM56-5C/P becomes the production configuration in 2004.

Jamie Jewell



Mobile:
+1 513.885.2282

jamie.jewell@ge.com

Charles Soret



Mobile:
+33 (0)6.31.60.96.79

charles.soret@safrangroup.com

Perry Bradley



Mobile:
+1 513 375 2597

perry.bradley@ge.com

Talal Ahmed Almahmood


+973 173 3819


talal.almahmood@gulfair.com