"During the flight tests on GE's 747 flying test-bed, we verified the GEnx engine's design and electrical requirements for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner," said Tom Brisken, general manager of the GEnx program. "We conducted numerous tests with maximum horsepower extraction on the starter generators, demonstrated engine operability while generating the maximum electric power requirements envisioned for the 787 aircraft and confirmed the ability of the GEnx engine to successfully restart in flight at various conditions within the 787 flight envelope."

According to GE, the flight test program required extensive modifications on GE's 747 flying test-bed, including the installation of a heat exchanger to dissipate the energy created by the two starter generators on the GEnx engine. GE's flying test-bed campaign validated the GEnx-1B engine's performance in real world flight conditions, which cannot be fully achieved during ground testing, said a GE statement.

The GEnx engine has demonstrated levels of NOX, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions lower than pre-test predictions and significantly better than present and future regulations. The GEnx's advanced twin-annular, pre-swirler or TAPS combustor will produce fewer smog-causing emissions than the maximum allowed by 2008 international standards or up to 94 percent margin to those future standards, according to GE.

In addition, successfull bird ingestion certification tests were carried out at the Peebles, Ohio, outdoor test facility. The tests required ingestion of four 2.5 lb. birds and one 5.5 lb bird, while maintaining required levels of thrust. The GEnx passed the tests with minimal fan blade distress or loss of thrust, validating the GEnx's wide chord composite blades developed from the GE90 family of engines.

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