Cenco International, a member of the SAFRAN Group and a worldwide leader in the design of aerospace-engine test-cell facilities, concluded recently major contracts in its areas of excellence for a total amount of 11m Euros.

Test equipment for General Electric

GE Trans selected Cenco International for the design and manufacture of the Slave Thrust Reversers and Variable Fan Nozzle for the development tests of its CF34-10A engine. A total of 5 Slave Thrust Reversers will be delivered starting from October '07. The Variable Fan Nozzle is a special equipment which allows dynamic change of the aperture angle of the secondary nozzle during the tests.

Cenco International has also been selected by GE Trans for the design and manufacture of Slave Boattails for its GEnx2B development tests (B747-8).

A test cell facility project for the AIA of Bordeaux, a French government maintenance organization

Cenco International has been selected by the "Atelier Industriel de l'Aeronautique" (AIA) in Bordeaux for the addition of a MTR390 turboshaft engine capability to its existing test facility.

The MTR390 engine equips the Tiger helicopter from the French Air Force and maintenance will be carried out by the AIA in Bordeaux.

As part of the contract, Cenco International will supply the mechanical adaptation as well as its new Cyres.mp data acquisition software, including industry-leading features which will allow test operators to work more efficiently and reliably.

A test facility upgrade project for MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH

MTU Maintenance of Ludwigsfelde has selected Cenco International for the upgrade of an existing test facility for turbofan engines in order to test the new GE CF34-10E engine.

As part of the contract, Cenco International will design, supply and install the mechanical systems for the test facility. This includes the engine test adapter kit, all slave test nacelle equipment for the engine (bellmouth, cowls), and all necessary electrical cabling/harnesses, connectors,…The CF34-10E engine equips the Embraer 190/195 large regional jet, and will be maintained by MTU Maintenance of Ludwigsfelde (D).

A turnkey F100 engine test facility for the Chilean Air Force (FACH)

Following the recent purchase of second-hand F16 fighters from the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the FACH released a tender for the upgrade of its existing ATAR test facility for the overhaul of its new F100 fleet.

With its proven experience in the design and delivery of engine test cells, Cenco International will provide FACH with one of the most advanced system of the industry. In particular, Cenco's new Data Acquisition System Cyres.mp, will allow FACH to test its engines with high degree of efficiency. Cenco International has already delivered six hush houses for F100 engines to Air Forces around the world, and is involved in many other military projects.

Cenco International delivers its 53rd and 54th CFM56 test adapters for Sichuan Snecma Aeroengine Maintenance Center

Cenco International has also been chosen by Sichuan Snecma Aeroengine Maintenance Center (SSAMC) in Chengdu, China, to add the CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B capability to its existing CFM56-3 test cell.

Cenco International will supply the adapter kits, the software system, and the slave equipment for testing these types of engines.

SSAMC is adding this capability following the recent deal it concluded with Air China for the maintenance of its CFM56-5B and -7B engine fleet.

SSAMC (SAFRAN Group) is an equity joint venture established in July 1999 between Snecma Services France (51,8%), Air China Group (43,6%) and Willis Lease Finance Corporation (4,6%), SSAMC is specialized in the maintenance and repair of CFM56 engines, conducted in large workshops based on Shuangliu airport in Chengdu, in the Chinese province of Sichuan.

Vincent Duprez, Managing Officer, is very pleased with these developments: "These new contracts are an acknowledgement of Cenco's expertise and confirm its development on the international scene. Three years after the start of Cenco International trademark, these contracts strengthen Cenco as a major supplier of test equipment, in particular Test Nacelle Equipment for the latest generation of commercial engines (GP7200, GEnx, CF34-10E & -10A) as well as mature programs (CFM56)."