Air France GP7200-Powered A380 Takes First Flight

By: Gregory Polek

February 18, 2009
Engines, Aircraft

The first Air France Airbus A380 powered with Engine Alliance GP7200 engines successfully completed a four-hour inaugural test flight from Airbus’s Toulouse, France manufacturing site last Thursday, the company announced today. On Monday, the aircraft flew to Airbus’s Hamburg, Germany facilities for paint and interior completions work. Airbus has scheduled the A380 for delivery to Air France in October.

Holding a firm order for 12 Engine Alliance-powered A380s, Air France is the second customer for the joint venture company of GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney. Engine Alliance’s first GP7200 engines entered service with Emirates Airline last August.

“This first flight represents another milestone in the GP7200 program,” Engine Alliance President Jim Moravecek said. “We're ready for our entry into service with Air France this year, and we couldn't be more excited about working with them.”
Derived from the GE90 and PW4000, the Engine Alliance GP7200 consists of a GE-built core and Pratt & Whitney fan module, low pressure compressor and low pressure turbine. Pratt & Whitney conducts final assembly at its facility in Middletown, Conn.

Back

Airbus A330-200F Takes to the Skies November 05, 2009 Airbus’s new A330-200F freighter flew for the first time today, officially marking the start of a 180-hour flight-test and certification... [more]
Air New Zealand orders Airbus A320s to replace Boeing 737-300s November 03, 2009 Air New Zealand has ordered 14 Airbus A320s to replace its existing domestic fleet of 15 Boeing 737-300s. Valued at slightly more than $1... [more]
Mitsubishi signs first U.S. customer November 01, 2009 Mitsubishi Aircraft scored an enormous marketing coup last month when it signed its first customer outside Japan for the 78- to 92-seat MRJ. The... [more]
ATR formally unveils -600 series November 01, 2009 Franco-Italian regional aircraft maker ATR last month presented to the public the ATR 72-600 during a ceremony in Toulouse, France, where it... [more]
Republic to ground its last 717 November 01, 2009 Republic Airways plans to ground the last of nine remaining Boeing 717s it acquired with its purchase of Milwaukee-based Midwest Airlines by... [more]