GE Aviation has announced it has achieved certification by the US Federal Aviation Administration for its GE9X engine, a key milestone for the engine to power the new twin-engine Boeing 777X family.

John Slattery, president and CEO of GE Aviation commented on the achievement: “It takes the world’s best talent in jet propulsion to create a game-changing product like the GE9X engine.

“There is no substitute that can achieve the combination of size, power and fuel efficiency of the GE9X. This engine will deliver unsurpassed value and reliability to our airline customers. I want to congratulate the entire GE9X team and thank Boeing, our partners and suppliers for the collaboration on this incredible achievement.”

Lower emissions

The company says the GE9X test engines completed just under 5,000 hours and 8,000 cycles for certification. The engine is designed to achieve 10 per cent lower specific fuel consumption compared to the GE90-115B and will operate with less smog-causing emissions than any other engine in its class.

GE Aviation vice president and general manager of commercial engines operation, Bill Fitzgerald said: “Just as the GE90 pioneered new technology for commercial aircraft engines more than 25 years ago on the Boeing 777, the GE9X sets the new standard for engine performance and efficiency thanks to the incorporation of GE’s most advanced technologies developed over the last decade.”

According to the company, its focus remains working with Boeing to complete the 777X flight test programme and entry into service. Eight GE9X test engines and two test spares have been produced and delivered to Seattle for Boeing’s four 777X test aircraft and several production engines have been assembled. The company is in the process of completing factory acceptance tests.

GE has received orders and commitments for more than 600 GE9X engines.