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GE's CF34* family of engines has reached two highly significant milestones. Twenty-five years ago this May, in 1983, the pioneering engine first entered service on the Challenger 601* business aircraft. And 15 years ago, in 1992, the engines again made history, sparking one of the most important events in commercial aviation—the advent of reliable regional aviation service.
Reliable, proven technology. Economical to service. Built to last. Continuous improvement through technology infusion and OnPoint* service solutions. The CF34 engine family is the best-selling engine in the regional aviation market and offers the lowest cost-of-ownership solution available today.
The entry into service of the CF34-3A1-powered Bombardier* CRJ100* aircraft on November 11, 1992, with Lufthansa CityLine was a significant departure for commercial airline operations. The engine enabled carriers to strengthen their hub and spoke networks and supported the growth of many regional airlines in North America and Europe.
Powerful Heritage
The CF34 engine family is made up of three distinctive engine models:
• CF34-3: At the lower end of the thrust range (9,220 lbs.*), the CF34-3 engine powers more than 1,000 Bombardier CFJ100/200* and 750 Challenger 601/604/605* aircraft. These aircraft are in service around the globe, and the CF34-3 plays a vital role in supporting the needs of its varied and extensive customer base. Today, the CF34-3 engine forms the backbone of the regional aviation market.
• CF34-8: The CF34-8 occupies the middle band of the CF34 engine thrust range (13,790-14,510 lbs.*). With 30% fewer parts and 50% more thrust than the CF34-3, it takes advantage of proven technologies to yield strong value to customers."The CF34-8 engine is one of GE's highest thrust-to-weight commercial applications," says André Robert, manager, CF34 Marketing. "This feature improves the payload-range capability of the aircraft."
• CF34-10: The latest member of the CF34 engine family is the CF34-10. Introduced in late 2005, this engine further reduces part count over the CF34-8, with a thrust increase of 40% (16,960-20,380 lbs.*). And it delivers GE’s narrowbody core engine technology to the 90-120 seat segment, for a powerful combination of high performance and low cost of ownership. "There are more than 1,000 CF34-10 engines on order, with another 800 options," says Robert. "Our customers value the reliability and operating economics of the engine and expect these engines to power their fleet for a long time to come."
Large Installed Base
The CF34 engine installed base currently sits at more than 5,300 engines, and this number is expected to grow beyond 7,000 engines by the end of 2010. At any time of the day, more than 45,000 passengers around the globe are flying on CF34-powered aircraft. "We work closely with our airframe and airline customers to sustain the highest levels of reliability," states Robert. "Among other factors, regional aviation's success hinges on its ability to feed the hub and spoke network in a predictable manner."
From real-time diagnostics and customer teams, to Lean Six Sigma "At the Customer For the Customer" and propulsion working groups, many processes exist today to support operators and help them be successful. Maintainability is factored in the engine design to facilitate on wing maintenance such as borescope inspections, line-replaceable units and engine module removals.
Technology Investment
GE is committed to the CF34 engine program, investing more than $2 billion in engine development for the commercial applications over the course of the regional program. Several technology upgrades have been introduced to meet the evolutionary needs of the market, including:
• An upgrade for the CF34-3A1 engine that converts it to a CF34-3B1 engine and offers customers improved fuel burn, additional thrust capability and lower maintenance cost.
• Upgrades for the CF34-3B1 that include advanced materials and coatings on the high- pressure turbine blades, nozzles and shrouds for improved durability and longer time on wing.
• An upgrade for the CF34-8C1 fleet that infuses advanced technology and improved durability components from the CF34-8C5 engine into the existing engines to create a common engine for the CRJ700* and CRJ900* aircraft.
• A modernization program on the engine for Challenger 601 aircraft, enabling operators to transition from a "hard time" maintenance schedule, with scheduled hot section inspections and overhauls, to an "on-condition" maintenance schedule. With the new upgrade, the average first unscheduled shop visit will occur at about 8,000 hours, which is equivalent to 20 years of typical business aviation operation.
With more than 48 million engine hours to date, the CF34 engine has earned its industry-leading reputation as one of the cleanest, quietest, most fuel-efficient and highly reliable engines in its class. |
