CFM56-7BE Gains FAA, EASA Approval

The U.S. FAA and Europe’s EASA jointly certified CFM International’s new CFM56-7BE engine for the Boeing 737 family last Friday.

CFM expects the engine to begin Boeing 737 flight testing during the fourth quarter and enter service in mid-2011, in time to coincide with Boeing Next-Generation 737 airframe improvements.

The CFM56-7BE has completed 450 hours of ground and flight testing over the past year. In May, the engine underwent a 60-hour certification flight-test program aboard GE’s modified Boeing 747 flying testbed in Victorville, Calif. The engine also completed a 150-hour block test at Snecma facilities in Villaroche, France, during which it operated at what engineers refer to as triple redline: maximum fan speed, maximum core speed and maximum exhaust gas temperature.  

Boeing and CFM expect the CFM56-7BE-powered 737 to deliver a 2-percent improvement in fuel consumption and carbon emissions, as well as up to 4 percent lower maintenance costs, depending on the thrust rating.