CFM falling short on Leap programs

It has quietly been leaked in the last few months that CFM is falling short on Specific Fuel Consumption for the Leap-1A and -1B programs, with the -1B being far more serious.

The Leap-1A is one of two engine options for the A320neo family. It currently stands around 2% short of sfc goals.

The -1B is the sole engine for the 737 Max. It currently stands around 4-5% short of goals. First flight for the Max is planned for 2017. With the engine falling that short this close to eis, that's a lot of ground to make up. They may have to release several PIPs to get up to where Boeing promised.

airwaysnews.com...

Officially launched in 2008.Long gestation period especially when ADVENT is along same lines..Military vs civil I guess.

Talk about turnaround. The Leap-1B received FAA/EASA certification and CFM is working on endurance upgrades.

On an interesting note, a CFM-56 engine went 13 years and 50,000 hours on wing before requiring removal for required maintenance.

a reply to: Zaphod58

The French are some of the most criminally underrated engineers on the planet.

The Japanese and the Germans always get the fanfare, and the Brits and Russians have all the romance, and the Americans get to design and build all the cool stuff. But the French, when they get it right, they design some of the best civilian market/transport sector stuff on the planet.

a reply to: Barnalby

It helps to have GE resources as well.

a reply to: Zaphod58

That it does. It just makes me happy to see one of the smaller European engine manufacturers staying alive through collaboration with an American giant. Too many cool little engine companies like Orenda, Bristol-Siddeley, or Napier went down the tubes in the 1960s and it's kinda heartwarming to me that SNECMA found a way to stay alive.

a reply to: Barnalby

The scary part is that the changes they're making are aimed at a 25% increase in time on wing.

a reply to: Zaphod58

The 737 is truly the Toyota Camry of the skies.