EASA certifies GP7272 and GP7272E engines

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified two new thrust ratings for the GP7200 engine. The first, GP7272, allows the GP7200 engine to operate at 72,000 pounds of thrust (lbf). The second, GP7272E, allows the engine to operate with the same thrust at higher ambient temperature environments. The GP7200 engine now has four thrust ratings: the GP7270 and GP7270E at 70,000 lbf, the GP7272 and GP7272E at 72,000 lbf. The existence of the two E-ratings enables the GP7200 engine to operate at full thrust beyond an ambient temperature of 30°C (86°F). The E-rating enables A380 operators to optimize payload without compromising fuel burn and maintenance cost.