GE90-115B Engine Celebrates Five Years of Flight

June 15, 2009

LE BOURGET--The GE90-115B engine, the world's largest and most powerful commercial jet engine, is celebrating its fifth year in service, powering the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. 

Close to four million flight-hours have been accumulated by the more than 500 GE90-115B engines that power the Boeing 777-300ER, the Boeing 777-200LR aircraft that entered service in 2006, and the 777 Freighter that entered service in February of this year. The engine has demonstrated superior fuel efficiency and low overall emissions as well as proving itself as one of the quietest engines per pound of thrust. 

"The performance and reliability of the GE90-115B engine has been outstanding," said Tony Aiello, general manager of the GE90 Program at GE Aviation. "Customers have recognized the value the engine brings to their fleet, with more than 1,000 GE90-115B engines ordered to date." 

At 115,000 pounds of thrust, the GE90-115B engine incorporates advanced technologies from GE's successful GE90 family with new, performance-enhancing features such as a three-dimensional aerodynamic (3-D aero) compressor and wide-chord, swept composite fan blades for greater efficiency. The dual annular combustor emits no more than 40 percent of the hydrocarbons allowed by today's international standards. 

Derated to 110,000 pounds of thrust, the GE90-110B engine powered the Boeing 777-200LR to a world record in 2005 for distance traveled nonstop by a commercial jetliner east from Hong Kong to London. The same engine also powers the world's largest, longest-range twin-engine freighter, the Boeing 777 Freighter, which offers lower operating costs and more capacity than any other twin-engine freighter. 

Snecma of France, Avio SpA. of Italy, and IHI Corporation of Japan are revenue-sharing participants in the GE90 program. 

The GE90-115B engine is part of GE's "ecomagination" product portfolio-GE's commitment to develop new, cost-effective technologies that enhance customers' environmental and operating performance. 

GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as avionics, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings.