The first A320neo equipped with CFM International LEAP-1A engines completed its maiden flight today in Toulouse, France.
The aircraft, registration F-WNEW, was flown by Experimental Test Pilots Philippe Perrin and Malcolm Ridley. Accompanying them in the cockpit was Test-Flight Engineer Jean-Michel Pin and monitoring the progress of the flight profile were the Flight-Test Engineers Tuan Do and Philippe Pupin.
This first flight with the second NEO engine is another major step in the joint airplane/engine development program that will culminate in the entry into commercial service in 2016. CFM is on track for joint U.S. 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.
The LEAP engine was chosen as a powerplant for the A320neo in December 2010. Since then, the engine has garnered orders and commitments for 2,508 LEAP-1A engines, representing 55 percent of the orders to date of A320neo aircraft for which an engine selection has been made. The aircraft was rolled out in April.
There are currently a total of more than 30 LEAP engines (all three models) on test or in final assembly and the program has logged a total of more than 3,660 certification test hours and 5,460 test cycles.
The newest member of the A320 Family, the A320neo, incorporates many innovations including latest generation engines, Sharklet wing tip devices and cabin improvements, which together will deliver up to 20 percent in fuel savings by 2020.The flight test campaign of the A320neo has accumulated more than 400 flight hours in around 130 flights since first flight on 25th September 2014.
