GE Aviation prepares for "First Stamp" on its Passport engine

Assembly continues on GE Aviation's first Passport development engine that will power the Bombardier Global 7000 and Global 8000 aircraft. GE Aviation began building the first full size engine in March and the first engine test is scheduled for June.

"The engine is coming together quite nicely," said Brad Mottier, vice president and general manager of GE Aviation's Business & General Aviation and Integrated Systems division. "We look forward to placing it on GE's outdoor test stand in Peebles, Ohio, next month and running the engine up to full power."

Eight Passport engines and two cores will be used in the engine certification program. Flight testing on GE's flying testbed is scheduled for 2014. Engine certification is expected in 2015.

The Passport engine certification program follows three years of validation testing. GE Aviation has conducted validation tests on the fan blisk design, including two fan blade-out rig tests, ingestion tests and a fan aero rig test to demonstrate fan efficiency. Testing is underway on the third eCore demonstrator, and GE has accumulated more than 250 hours of testing on eCore demonstrators to date.

The Passport engine for the Global 7000 and Global 8000 business jets will produce 16,500 pounds of thrust and will incorporate advanced technologies and materials to provide: 8% lower specific fuel consumption than engines in its class; margin to CAEP/6 emissions and to Stage 4 noise regulations; and world-class reliability and support. Among the new engine technologies:

- A composite fan case to reduce weight,

- A unique 52-inch front fan blisk for lower cabin noise and vibration,

- Technologies from GE's eCore suite to lower emissions and improve fuel efficiency,

- And a unique super finish on the high pressure compressor blades and blisks for enhanced fuel efficiency.

The Passport's integrated propulsion system from Nexcelle, a joint venture between GE and Safran, will feature a slim-line nacelle with outward opening cowl to reduce weight and drag while allowing for easy maintenance access and high dispatch availability.