CFM56-5B Tech Insertion package certified; program on schedule for flight tests and aircraft certification

CFM International's CFM56-5B Tech Insertion package was jointly certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration September 15th, paving the way for Airbus A320 flight tests later this year and aircraft certification in early 2007.

Tech Insertion will become the new production standard for both the CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B in 2007. CFM International is also working to define potential upgrade kits for current operators.

CFM International (CFM) is a 50/50 joint company between Snecma and General Electric Company. It is the world's leading aircraft engine manufacturer, with more than 16,000 engines produced to date.

CFM completed an exhaustive series of tests on six different engines as part of the certification program. These engines underwent icing tests, compressor and turbine blade stress tests, hail ingestion, emissions, over-temperature tests, a 150-hour block test, and a 65-hour flight test program on GE's modified 747 flying testbed. Overall, Tech Insertion has logged approximately 1,150 hours of development and certification testing.

Over the engine's life cycle, CFM56 Tech Insertion is designed to provide operators with longer time on wing through an equivalent 15 - 20C additional exhaust gas temperature margin; up to five percent lower maintenance costs through enhanced durability; and up to 1 percent better specific fuel consumption, which translates to better fuel burn. The engine will also meet the new International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Committee of Aviation Environmental Protection standards (CAEP /6) scheduled to take effect in 2008. These benefits can be achieved through improvements to the high-pressure compressor, the combustor, and the high- and low-pressure turbines. The new configuration will be designated by a "/3" on the engine name place (i.e. CFM56-5B4/3)