CFM Leap-1A Airbus A320neo Makes First Flight
LOS ANGELES—Airbus flew the first CFM Leap-1A-powered A320neo at its facility in Toulouse, France on May 19, marking the start of an intense test and certification campaign due to culminate in a 2016 first-delivery date.
The Leap-1A is one of three new-generation CFM engine variants under development to succeed the CFM56, and becomes the first of the family to fly on its intended platform. The engine—which competes on the A320neo with Pratt & Whitney’s PW1100G geared turbofan—has also been flying for several months on General Electric’s Boeing 747 flying testbed in California.
CFM, which is a General Electric and Snecma joint venture, is also developing the Leap-1B for the competing Boeing 737 MAX, as well as the Leap-1C for the Comac C919. The MAX engine flew for the first time on the flying testbed on April 29, while the C919 engine became airborne for the first time on the same testbed in early October 2014. The Leap-1A is designed to replace the CFM56-5 that originally powered the original Airbus A320 for its first flight in February 1987.