Advanced LEAP-1A engines has successfully completed a four-hour, 25-minute first flight powering the new Airbus A320neo. CFMi stated that the engines “performed extremely well throughout the flight envelope”.
CFM says that it is on track for joint US Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency certification to support the aircraft entry into service. Nearly 60 percent of the required engine certification reports have been submitted and approved to date.
"Today, we are celebrating the next step in our very successful journey with Airbus. A journey that goes back nearly 35 years to the very launch of the A320 program," said Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International. "It a great achievement for the thousands of people involved in making this day a reality; for many of them, this event will remain a defining moment in their careers. It is humbling to be a part of this historic event and, on behalf of the entire CFM team worldwide, I thank Airbus for making us a part of this incredible program."
"We are very pleased with the results we have been achieving," said Ebanga. "With each day, our confidence grows that the LEAP engine will deliver the performance, reliability, and cost of ownership we have committed to our customers from day one.