China Eastern Yunnan Sets High-Altitude Time-On-Wing Record With CFM56-3
Published on 21st January 2003
KUNMING, CHINA January 21, 2003 China Eastern Yunnan Airlines, the first operator of CFM56 engines in China, has achieved another important milestone. In a ceremony here today, the airline was recognized for setting a new high-altitude time-on-wing record with a CFM56-3 engine that logged more than 20,000 flight hours without a shop visit.
CFM56-3 engines, which power the Boeing 737-300/-400/-500 series of aircraft, are produced by CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs (Safran Group) of France and General Electric Company.
China Yunnan Airlines took delivery of its first CFM56-3-powered 737 in 1985. In addition to 737-300s, the airline also operates CFM56-7-powered 737-700s. The record-setting engine was delivered on a 737-300 in May 1995. During its in-service life, the engine has undergone routine inspections but has remained trouble-free.
China Eastern Yunnan operates in extremely demanding conditions at high-altitude airports well above 6,000 feet. In this environment, an engine runs at much higher temperatures and usually experiences less time on wing before a shop visit than engines operated at sea level.
In 2002, China Yunnan was integrated with China Eastern, and its aircraft now operate under that livery. China Eastern has been a CFM customer since 1994 and is CFM's largest customer in China. Prior to the integration, China Eastern operated a fleet of 30 purchased and leased A319 and A320 aircraft powered by the CFM56-5B and six Boeing 737-300 aircraft powered by the CFM56-3, in addition to five long-range A340s. The combined fleet now totals 78 CFM-powered aircraft, with 26 additional A320s and 737s on order.
CFM56-3 engines, which power the Boeing 737-300/-400/-500 series of aircraft, are produced by CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs (Safran Group) of France and General Electric Company.
China Yunnan Airlines took delivery of its first CFM56-3-powered 737 in 1985. In addition to 737-300s, the airline also operates CFM56-7-powered 737-700s. The record-setting engine was delivered on a 737-300 in May 1995. During its in-service life, the engine has undergone routine inspections but has remained trouble-free.
China Eastern Yunnan operates in extremely demanding conditions at high-altitude airports well above 6,000 feet. In this environment, an engine runs at much higher temperatures and usually experiences less time on wing before a shop visit than engines operated at sea level.
In 2002, China Yunnan was integrated with China Eastern, and its aircraft now operate under that livery. China Eastern has been a CFM customer since 1994 and is CFM's largest customer in China. Prior to the integration, China Eastern operated a fleet of 30 purchased and leased A319 and A320 aircraft powered by the CFM56-5B and six Boeing 737-300 aircraft powered by the CFM56-3, in addition to five long-range A340s. The combined fleet now totals 78 CFM-powered aircraft, with 26 additional A320s and 737s on order.
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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