Page 9 - AAA JULY - AUGUST 2016 Online Magazine

COVER STORY

strengthen our domestic network and will also before we decide on the engine choice for the by Airbus as a second engine option for the
be available to fly on international routes,” said remaining 280 aircraft that we have on order NEo Family. The maiden flight on an A320neo
Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, CEo, GoAir. with Airbus.” powered by the LEAP-1A took place in May,
India’s dominant airline, IndiGo took The A320neo powered by CFM last year and an additional aircraft joined the
delivery of its first A320neo in March and International’s LEAP-1A engine; the second test programme in September the same year.
has said that it expects to take delivery engine option for the NEo, received Type
of 20 more aircraft during the 2017 fiscal Certification from the European Aviation Embraer E-Jets E2
year. IndiGo has configured the aircraft Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation An airframer that has successfully made
to accommodate 180 seats. However, a Administration (FAA), on 31 May. Fabrice the transition from business jets to regional
substantial amount of the aircraft to be Brégier, Airbus’ President and Chief Executive transport aircraft is Embraer. The E-Jets
delivered in the coming years are expected officer called the event, “A key milestone for E2 programme is the Brazilian firms most
to be in the 186 seat configuration. IndiGo’s the A320neo programme, and its second ambitious yet. Unlike Bombardier however,
A320neos in their first month of operation (18 engine option – the specially developed Embraer chose the path of a deep upgrade
March to 24 April), demonstrated a technical LEAP-1A, is a double seal of approval by the for the E-Jets E2, compared to the clean-
dispatch reliability of 99.02 percent for a two major international governing bodies sheet approach that Bombardier chose. The
three aircraft fleet as compared to 99.94 and comes after the A320neo Family had maiden flight of the E190-E2, took place in
percent for the LCC’s A320 Classics during successfully accomplished a rigorous May this year, earlier than originally planned
the same operational period. The airline has programme of certification trials.” Delivery and just three months after the aircraft was
also said that the new aircraft are delivering of the first A320neo powered by the LEAP-1A rolled-out of the factory in late February.
average fuel efficiency savings of 13 per cent is now only a few months away and Jean-Paul “The flight was very smooth. We were able
as compared to the A320 Classics without Ebanga, CFM president and CEo said, “The to significantly open the flight envelope by
Sharklets and that it expects this percentage flight test program has been a big success flying at Mach 0.82, climbing to 41,000 feet
to further improve in the coming years. IndiGo and we can’t wait to start bringing LEAP’s and retracting the landing gear and flaps, and
has chosen the PurePower PW1100G-JM for outstanding fuel efficiency, low maintenance engaging the fly-by-wire in normal mode,” said
its first 150 A320neos and the airline has not costs, and world-class reliability to our Embraer Captain Mozart Louzada, after the
ruled out selection of CFM International’s customers later this year.” maiden flight. Embraer has now commenced
LEAP-1A for the remaining 280 aircraft on The flight test campaign led by the two the flight test and certification campaign
order. “We are eagerly looking forward to LEAP-powered aircraft has accumulated over with the first E190-E2 prototype and three
learning from experience that other airlines 1,000 flight hours over more than 350 flights – more prototypes will be built by Embraer
will have with the CFM LEAP-X Engine. It will including 150 flight hours completed with the for developmental testing. Two E195-E2
be a good opportunity for us to compare the same aircraft in an airline-like environment. prototypes will also be built by Embraer.
actual operating performance of two engines The LEAP-1A was chosen in December 2010 The E190-E2 is slated to enter commercial

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