Engine Alliance GP7200-powered A380
Air Transportation World | Aug. 28, 2006
The first Engine Alliance GP7200-powered A380 completed its initial test flight Friday, returning to Toulouse after flying over southern France for 4 hr. 10 min.Engine Alliance, the GE/Pratt & Whitney joint venture, delivered the GP7200s in autumn 2005 but production delays not associated with the engines pushed back the first test flight several months. It becomes the fifth A380 in Airbus's test fleet following four Trent 900-powered aircraft.
"The aircraft once again handled as expected and the GP7200 engines performed very well," said Airbus Senior VP-Flight Division Claude Lelaie. "There are still many tests and optimizations ahead, but I expect the new Engine Alliance engines to be a success."
Six airlines have chosen the GP7200, derived from the GE90 and PW4000 programs, to power a combined 82 A380s on firm order, according to Airbus. The remaining 58 on order will be powered by Trent 900s. The first GP7200-powered A380 is scheduled to be delivered to Emirates next year.
GP7200 test engines accumulated 7,000 cycles in ground testing before being certified by US FAA late last year. "The performance of the GP7200 engines in testing has been outstanding," said Engine Alliance President Bruce Hughes. "The engines are outperforming Airbus's specifications for fuel consumption and are demonstrating excellent durability."
Engine Alliance said the engines meet "stringent Stage 4 noise regulations" and produce emissions "well below current and anticipated regulations." It added that the GP7200, certified at 76,500 lb. thrust, has the capability to produce more than 81,500 lb.