In a bid to secure certification of the Leap-1A for the Airbus A320neo, CFM International plans to test 15 Leap engines this year. Early endurance tests also will be performed on the -1A this year.
The Leap engine will also undertake its first flights this year via GE’s flying testbed, a modified Boeing 747-100. The 747-100 equipped with a Leap-1A will fly in September, while the same aircraft with one Leap-1C will take flight in late March or early April. Tests with the Leap -1B will come early in 2015.
Planned certification dates for the Leap-1A and -1B are, respectively, June 2015 and February 2016. Certification of the -1C is due in June 2015, simultaneously with the -1A.