Page 16 - AAA SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2016 Online Magazine

inteRVieW saFRan aiRCRaFt enGines

Ready for Deployment

Safran Aircraft Engines Brussels is the first Part145 certified LEAP-1A engine MRO

the FiRst LeaP-1a enGines WiLL soon Part145 certification, in addition to the GE
be in revenue service and Safran Aircraft Lafayette site. On-Site Support to airlines is
Engines is working hard to ensure that also available on multiple locations all over
MRO facilities will be ready in time. “SAESB the world, to ensure that technicians can be
had to work for nearly two years to get at the operators’ base in less than 24 hours.
ready for the LEAP-1A, including a site Some of these sites will be able to perform
reorganization, installation of a dedicated quick turns (light shop visits). To ensure the
maintenance line, a redefinition of MRO most effective support as soon as the entry
processes and investment in machinery into service, stress tests have been carried
and equipment adapted to the size and out to check that all the employees know
materials of the new engine, Pierre Schroer, what tasks they have to do, in which order, if
Services Business Development General they have the proper set of tools and if the
Manager for Safran Aircraft Engines, logistic is in place.
tells Asian Airlines & Aerospace. Edited In addition, several operators have
excerpts from the interview. already undergone training at Safran Aircraft
Engines to handle the modules under their
What are the latest updates on the LEAP – Pierre Schroer, Services Business Development responsibility. Besides the OEM MRO
in terms of MRO activities? General Manager, Safran Aircraft Engines capability, we expect airlines MROs shops
Safran Aircraft Engines is putting a lot of and also independent MROs to propose their
energy and investments to be ready to maintenance line, the acquisition of the services for the LEAP overhaul.
give airlines all the overhaul services they necessary tools, a redefinition of MRO
need. Safran Aircraft Engines Brussels processes and investment in machinery Please provide an update on CFM-56
(SAESB) will be the first Safran shop to and equipment adapted to the size and engine MRO services as production slows
earn Part145 certification on LEAP-1A materials of the new engine (composite fan down?
after a stringent qualification process. blades and case, titanium aluminide low- Even if CFM56-5B and -7B engine
SAESB had to work for nearly two years to pressure turbine blades,..). Saint Quentin production will slow down with the ramp-
get ready for the LEAP-1A, including a site MRO shop will be the next Safran Aircraft up of the LEAP engine models, the CFM56
reorganization, installation of a dedicated Engine maintenance facility to get LEAP engine installed base will generate in the
coming years an increase of MRO activities
in terms of number of engine shop visits.
LEAP-1B Engine for the Boeing 737 MAX Let’s focus on some figures to better
François Bastin, CFM Programs Director at Safran Aircraft Engines and Executive illustrate the CFM56 MRO market for the
Vice President of CFM next decade: at the end of 2015, 50 percent
The LEAP-1B engine is now certified (since of the CFM56-5B and -7B fleet in service
May, 4th, 2016), both by the European was less than 10-year-old, and more than
EASA and U.S. FAA. The certification test 60 percent of the engines have never had
program went smoothly with results in a shop visit. In addition, more than 27000
line with the expectations, paving the way CFM56 engines will be in operation in
for entry into commercial service in 2017. 2018. There is consequently no reduction
The LEAP-1B engine flew for the first time foreseen on CFM56 engine MRO in the next
on the Boeing 737 MAX on January 29, coming years.
2016. So far four 737 MAX are in test and
more than 800 hours of flight tests have
been logged on over 300 flights (as of
July). Measurements show that the engine
is fully on track to meet the desired
specifications.

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