• Another step closer to first flight
• Incorporated industry’s first Integrated Propulsion System
SHANGHAI, China — 2 November 2015 — In a special ceremony here today Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) rolled out the first C919 airplane, The aircraft is powered by CFM International’s advanced LEAP-1C engine, which is part of the industry’s first integrated propulsion system. This event paves the way for first flight of the all-new airplane.
“It is an exciting day for the C919 program and we very much appreciate the support we have received from CFM International to help us get to this point,” said Wu Guanghui, vice president of COMAC. “The quality and technology of the LEAP-1C engine is helping us to build a very competitive airplane and we look forward to beginning the flight test phase of development. ”
“It is always a thrill to see a new airplane for the first time,” said Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International. “And we are so honored to be a part of this great program. The collaboration between COMAC and CFM has been outstanding we are very proud of what we have accomplished together. CFM recently celebrated its 30-year anniversary in China; the C919 with the LEAP engine has set a solid foundation for the next 30 years and beyond.”
CFM is in the midst of the most extensive ground and flight test certification program in its history. There are currently a total of more than 30 LEAP engines (all three models) on test or in final assembly and the program has logged a total of more than 6,150 certification ground and flight test hours and 12,400 cycles. The total program, which encompasses all three LEAP engine variants, includes 28 ground and CFM flight test engines, along with a total of 32 flight test engines for aircraft manufacturers.
The LEAP engine was officially launched in December 2009 when COMAC selected the LEAP-1C as the sole Western powerplant for its 150-passenger C919 airplane. The engine incorporates a unique, industry-first fully integrated propulsion system (IPS). CFM provides the engine as well as the nacelle and thrust reverser developed by Nexcelle*. These elements, including the pylon provided by COMAC, were designed in conjunction with each other, resulting in a total system that provides improved aerodynamics, lower weight, and easier maintenance.
The first LEAP-1C engine successfully completed a flight test program in late 2014 on a modified 747 flying testbed at GE facilities in Victorville, California. The flight-test program encompassed a comprehensive test schedule that gauged engine operability, stall margin, performance, emissions, and acoustics. It also validated the advanced technologies incorporated in the engine, including the woven carbon fiber composite fan, the Twin-Annular, Pre-Mixing Swirler (TAPS) combustor, ceramic matrix composite shrouds in the high-pressure turbine and titanium aluminide blades in the low-pressure turbine.
About COMAC
COMAC was formed on May 11, 2008 and is headquartered in Shanghai. The company functions as the main vehicle for implementing large passenger aircraft programs in China. It is also mandated with the overall planning of developing trunk liner and regional jet programs and realizing the industrialization of civil aircraft in China. COMAC is engaged in the research, manufacture and flight tests of civil aircraft and related products, as well as marketing, servicing, leasing and operations of civil aircraft.
About CFM International
CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran) and GE, the world's leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines, has delivered more than 28,000 engines to date. Through September 2015, the company had garnered orders and commitments for more than 9,550 LEAP engines. For more information, visit us at www.cfmaeroengines.com or follow us on Twitter @CFM_engines.
* Nexcelle is a joint venture between Aircelle (Safran) and GE Aviation’s Middle River Aircraft Systems (MRAS)