The new GEnx-2B jet engine for Boeing’s new 747-8 aircraft has begun flight-testing on GE Aviation’s 747 flying test-bed. During the five-hour first flight on March 23rd, a single GEnx-2B engine demonstrated aircraft systems and instrumentation functionality, climbing close to 40,000 feet and establishing engine performance baseline. About 40 flights with the engine are planned for this spring and summer.
The GEnx-2B, slated for certification this year, is the engine for the new Boeing 747-8. It is being flight-tested on GE’s flying test laboratory, a modernized 747-100. It was the 16th aircraft off the original Boeing 747 production line and had entered revenue service for Pan Am in 1972.
The GEnx-2B engine is optimized for the Boeing 747-8 aircraft, but still shares the engine core and 80 percent of the line replaceable units (LRUs) as the GEnx-1B that powers the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In addition, the engine will benefit from the experience of GE’s most extensive development program to help ensure unrivaled engine maturity prior to entry into service.
