1. GE
Aviation
Service Solutions
November-December 2006 / Volume 6, Issue 4
CFM 3-D Aero Providing Better Fuel Burn,
Longer On-Wing Life
A continual investment in the CFM56* Additional options: To help
product line has yielded substantial customer ensure flexibility in managing
benefits over the years. Between 1989 and maintenance costs, CFM offers
2005, in-flight shutdowns were reduced by additional CFM56-3 kit options. The
78%, aborted takeoffs by 80% and the fleet-wide Enhanced Performance Kit includes
dispatch reliability rate is now better than 99.96%. the 3-D aero HPC blades and vanes for
better EGT margin. The Enhanced
CFM International (CFM) uses the benefits Durability Turbine Kit reduces the HPT
of advanced three-dimensional aerodynamic blade scrap rate by as much as 50%,
(3-D aero) technology to breathe new life into thus reducing maintenance costs.
the mature CFM56-3 and CFM56-5C fleets,
providing customers with significant benefits CFM56-5C Upgrade
and extending the useable life of assets. to CFM56-5C/P
The CFM56-5C/P upgrade kit
CFM56-3 Advanced Upgrade incorporates advanced 3-D aero
The CFM56-3 Advanced Upgrade incorporates technology in the HPC and HPT design.
3-D aero high-pressure compressor (HPC) blades Additional improvements have also been
The blade at left was designed using traditional
and new high-pressure turbine (HPT) hardware. incorporated into the HPT to enhance durability. 2-D aerodynamic design techniques; at right is
a 3-D aero blade.
Overall, the CFM56-5C/P upgrade kit provides
The upgrade is installed during normal operators a 1% improvement in specific fuel
overhaul. It provides up to a 1.6% improvement consumption and up to an 18ºC improvement in used this technology in developing the
in specific fuel consumption (which directly EGT margin. This translates to as much as 10% advanced CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B engines.
impacts aircraft fuel burn) as well as up to lower maintenance costs and up to 5,000 Today, CFM has more experience with 3-D aero
20ºC additional exhaust gas temperature additional hours on wing. than any other manufacturer, with these
(EGT) margin, resulting in longer on-wing life fleets logging a combined total of more than
and, thus, lower maintenance costs. Turbine Upgraded engines are fully interchangeable 80 million engine flight-hours of highly reliable
improvements include new nozzle and shroud and intermixable with current engines and are service with airlines around the globe.
materials, a new blade coating and improved virtually transparent in the cockpit.
cooling. These changes lower scrap rates
Contact: Bob Barton bob.barton@ge.com
and repair costs in the turbine section by as 3-D Aero Efficiencies
much as 50%. A significant advancement in computer
capabilities, 3-D aero design helps to establish
Overall, the upgrade can improve post- a more optimum contour of an engine airfoil to
overhaul time on wing by up to 2,000 cycles. provide greatly improved efficiency. CFM initially
2. OnPoint Solutions’ First-Year Success Continues
The OnPoint* Solutions program was Airport, Emirates currently serves destinations
launched at last year’s Paris Air Show by in nearly 60 nations on five continents.
AirAsia, which entered into a 20-year
agreement for the maintenance, repair and China Cargo Airlines has signed a 15-year
overhaul of the CFM56-5B engines of its new OnPoint Solutions agreement for overhaul and
Airbus A320* aircraft. maintenance of the CF6-80C2 engines of its
two Boeing 747-400ER* Freighters. The first
Since then, the international popularity of all-cargo airline in the People’s Republic of
OnPoint Solutions has increased steadily. China, China Cargo provides scheduled
domestic service, plus international service to
TAP Portugal, the national airline of destinations in Europe and the United States.
Portugal, signed a nine-year OnPoint Solutions China Cargo operates from two Shanghai airports:
agreement covering maintenance, repair and its main base at Hongqiao International Airport
overhaul of the CF6-80E1 engines that power its and a hub at Pudong International Airport.
fleet of Airbus A330* aircraft. TAP Portugal,
which celebrated its 60th anniversary this year, Increasing Popularity With
currently flies to 43 destinations within 25 New Engine Sales
countries in Africa and North and South America. Shanghai Airlines signed a 15-year
maintenance agreement for the GEnx engines
Cathay Pacific Airways signed a 20-year of its nine Boeing 787* Dreamliner* aircraft,
agreement for the GE90-115B engines of its which are scheduled to begin delivery in June
fleet of Boeing 777-300ER* aircraft, the first of 2008. Since its establishment in 1985 as the first
which is to enter service in September 2007. limited-liability airline in China, Shanghai Airlines
The agreement also provides for coverage of the has grown into a large enterprise group with
GE90-115B engines powering additional aircraft air transport as its major business. The airline, the capital of the island province of Hainan,
acquired through 2017. Cathay Pacific Airways is which serves domestic, regional and international which is located off China’s southern coast.
an international airline based in Hong Kong, markets, will deploy the 787s in expanding its Hainan Airlines, which serves a scheduled
offering scheduled cargo and passenger service international routes. domestic network, has begun to add
to more than 90 destinations around the world. international services.
In addition, three other major airlines in
AMC Airlines, the charter carrier based in the People’s Republic of China have signed An MOU for a 15-year OnPoint Solutions
Cairo, Egypt, signed a 10-year OnPoint Solutions memorandums of understanding (MOUs) that maintenance agreement will cover the GEnx
agreement for the CFM56-7B engines of the include OnPoint Solutions agreements. engines of 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft of
737-800* aircraft in its fleet. In addition to China Eastern Airlines. Already the largest
charter flights between Europe and Egypt’s China Southern Airlines’ OnPoint Solutions GE/CFM International customer in China, China
tourist destinations, AMC Airlines offers tailored agreement is for the GEnx engines of Boeing 787 Eastern plans to initiate 787 service in 2008 on
charters, domestic flights, VIP flights and Dreamliner aircraft scheduled for delivery to its expanding international routes.
long- and short-term wet leases. begin in 2008. China Southern operates
the largest airline fleet, as well as the most “OnPoint Solutions are about flexibility,
Emirates has signed a 10-year OnPoint extensive domestic air network, in the People’s quality performance, increased productivity and
Solutions agreement for the maintenance and Republic of China. In addition to its flight strong customer support when and where our
overhaul of the GEnx* engines that will power operations based at Guangzhou, China customers need it,” says Brad Mottier, vice
10 new Boeing 747-8* Freighters, which are Southern has 13 branches within China and president and general manager of GE - Aviation,
scheduled to begin delivery in 2010. Launched 38 international offices in major metropolitan Services. “In implementing OnPoint Solutions,
in 1985, Emirates is the international airline of markets around the world. we tailor our services to meet each customer’s
the United Arab Emirates. The company has specific needs. The response of our customers
evolved into a travel and tourism conglomerate In September, Hainan Airlines signed an during the brief time that the OnPoint program
comprising an award-winning commercial MOU that includes OnPoint services coverage of has been available demonstrates that they
carrier, an international cargo division, a the GEnx engines of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner prefer our new approach and recognize the
destination management and leisure division, aircraft it is to begin flying in 2008. Hainan value that GE brings to their business.”
an international ground-handler and an airline Airlines is China’s fourth-largest airline based on
IT developer. From its base at Dubai International fleet size. The airline is headquartered in Haikou, Contact: Angela Jarczyk angela.jarczyk@ge.com
2 / Service Solutions 6.4
3. New OnPoint Product Optimizes
Workscope, Saves Money
Joint Specification Overhaul—one of GE’s such as TOW and turnaround time. GE
newer OnPoint* products—enables customers provides value through:
to work with GE to reduce overhaul costs and to • Reducing engine module exposure and
meet their engine performance and time on repair, while still meeting customer
wing (TOW) requirements. Introduced scarcely a requirements;
year ago, Joint Specification Overhaul has
• Matching life-limited parts (LLPs) build,
already attracted more than 100 customers.
including an optional provision for
“Joint Specification Overhaul is a highly GE to buy back specified LLPs; and
effective program that has universal application,” • Making recommendations on modular
says Jacques Chausse, general manager repair levels.
of Services Marketing. “So far, it has been
especially attractive to customers who have a An important aspect of the program is the are of the highest quality, and the LLPs come
short ownership horizon.” customer’s option to reduce overhaul costs by with back-to-birth traceability.
employing used serviceable material, including
In developing a Joint Specification Overhaul LLPs. Based on the customer’s objectives and the “Joint Specification Overhaul is a particularly
agreement with the customer, GE shares its engine operating profile, GE proposes an overhaul effective approach that enables each customer to
broad experience and technical expertise as the package that is customized to substantially realize a satisfactory rate of return—in the form of
engine OEM (original equipment manufacturer) reduce costs, including the use of a specified exceptional value, reliability and quality—on its
to jointly define an overhaul workscope that percentage of used serviceable materials and overhaul investment,” says Chausse.
serves to minimize cost while meeting critical used LLPs, consistent with accomplishing the
customer performance requirements in areas desired TOW. The used serviceable materials Contact: Jacques Chausse jacques.chausse@ge.com
GE - Aviation Launches New
Customer Support Center in China
is staffed by highly trained Chinese nationals support elements to develop proactive
who bring a wealth of technical expertise to the solutions to fleet issues.
role and eliminate any potential language
barriers. We’re offering a menu of services, “This new center is a logical extension of
GE - Aviation has opened a new China including OnPoint* Diagnostics, that translates GE’s support of our customers in China,” says
Operations Center (CHOC) in Shanghai to to a ‘one-stop shop’ and even better support for Mike Wilking, president, China Region, for
provide dedicated customer and product our customers.” GE - Aviation. “Coupled with the Spare Parts
support for the country’s growing aviation Service Center in Beijing, the Aero Engine
market. The center officially began 24-hour, The CHOC supports all GE and CFM56 engine Maintenance Training Center in Guanghan
seven-day-a-week operations in August. models. In addition to technical line and shop City and the On Wing Support operations in
maintenance support, the CHOC provides Xiamen, GE is providing a comprehensive
“There are more than 1,600 GE and expanded services such as in-country technical package that will help our customers
CFM56* engines in service in China. With the and AOG (aircraft on the ground) spare part continue to succeed in an increasingly
opening of the China Operations Center, we support, lease engine dispatch and fleet data competitive and dynamic industry.”
now support that fleet locally,” says Tony management, as well as enhanced support for
Aiello, general manager of Customer and smaller operators. The center integrates engine Contact: Jeff Milam jeffrey.milam@ge.com
Product Support for GE - Aviation. “The center diagnostics (health monitoring) with the product
Service Solutions 6.4 / 3