The GE9X engine is designed for the Boeing 777X . (photo from GE’s website)
The GE9X engine, which will power the Boeing 777X, has been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
GE Aviation has delivered eight GE9X engines and two spares to Seattle for testing in Boeing’s 777x test planes, according to a Sept. 28 press release. The engine manufacturer is also continuing its ground testing on the GE9X engine to achieve Extended Operations (ETOPS) approval and maturation tests to help engineers prepare to support the engine when it enters into service.
Certification of the GE9X comes eight months after Boeing completed the first flight of the 777X on Jan. 25. Lufthansa is the launch airline for the 777X, which Boeing expects to enter into service by 2022.
To be certified, the GE9X test engines completed just under 5,000 hours and 8,000 cycles. A total of nine test engines were included in the Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 33 certification.
“This milestone has been accomplished thanks to the tremendous efforts of the GE9X team and our partners,” Karl Sheldon, GE9X program general manager, said in a statement. “The GE9X engine has been through a rigorous and thorough certification and testing process. We are pleased with the performance of the engine, which has been validated through extensive ground and flight testing. We are excited to deliver a mature, state-of-the-art product to operators around the world.”
The GE9X touts lower specific fuel consumption (SFC) and less smog-causing emissions than others in its class, according to GE. To date, over 600 GE9X engines have already been ordered.