Trent 1000 Package C Engine Approved Ahead of 787-9 First Flight

The European Aviation Safety Agency has issued type certification for the higher efficiency and thrust “package C” version of Rolls-Royce’s Trent 1000 engine. The approval comes ahead of the anticipated first flight of Boeing’s 787-9 widebody. The 74,000-pound-thrust turbofan is set to power Air New Zealand’s first 787-9 when the new version of the Dreamliner family enters service next year, and it is also available for the existing 787-8.

Rolls-Royce is now working on a further upgrade to the powerplant family, with the Trent 1000-TEN (standing for thrust, efficiency and new technology) due to enter service in 2016. This will deliver 78,000 pounds of thrust and will power all 787 types, including the recently launched 787-10. According to the UK-based manufacturer, the Trent 1000 has delivered a dispatch reliability of above 99.9 percent since entering service on the Dreamliner in 2011.