GEnx Makes Public Debut

Claiming “black is green,” GE Aviation unveiled its GEnx engine, showing it to the public for the first time, at the Paris Air Show. Composite materials give the engine a black look, and the company claims the new engine will require less fuel consumption than older engines and thus be “greener.” Meanwhile, flight trials of the GEnx engine continue. Phase one of the GEnx-2B’s flight test program is about two weeks from completion, according to Tom Brisken, project general manager. On GE’s 747-100 flying test bed, the engine has been on 25 flights, including in icing conditions. Boeing pilots will be on board the aircraft during final flights in the first phase. Brisken says the second phase of -2B flight testing is to begin in September, after software revisions are made. The GEnx-2B will power the Boeing 747-8. Flight trials have been completed of the GEnx-1B variant, which will power the Boeing 787.
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