Quantcast

Boeing 747 aids GE Aerospace's engine tests amid CODEX collaboration

Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Brazilian airline Azul to go 'back to basics' after challenging 2024
Airlines cancel flights as air travel to ‘grind to complete halt’ this week ahead of major strike action in Europe
Dramatic moment American Airlines plane diverted to Rome is escorted by fighter jets after mid-air bomb threat
Jetstar Faces Major Backlash as Nationwide System Outage Causes Travel Chaos, Stranding Passengers and Disrupting Flights Across the Australian Airline Industry
Sudden oil supply outages creating turbulence for airline industry
Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Abu Dhabi's long-haul carrier Etihad Airways sees record $476 million profit in 2024
Boeing 747 aids GE Aerospace's engine tests amid CODEX collaboration
Policy
Webp 5r3vc2svdh8ibaxk8gr8iutw0za2
Simple Flying | Simple Flying

General Electric Aerospace, a key player in the aircraft engine industry, has been utilizing a Boeing 747 as a flying testbed for its next-generation engines. This initiative follows the spin-off of GE Aerospace from General Electric in April 2024, making it the sole business line of the former conglomerate.

The company is known for developing advanced aircraft engines, including electric propulsion systems and turbine engines. It collaborates with Safran Aircraft Engines through CFM International, which is recognized as the leading supplier of aircraft engines globally.

To ensure their new engines meet rigorous standards, GE Aerospace conducts extensive testing. The process starts on the ground with static and stationary operating tests before moving to flight testing using a flying testbed like the Boeing 747. "As a new aircraft engine gets developed," said General Electric Aerospace, "the engine goes through a significant testing program."

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The Boeing 747 serves as an airborne laboratory due to its four-engine pylons. This setup allows various tests on parameters such as temperature and pressure at different altitudes. Modifications are often required to accommodate new engines and data-collecting instruments.

Before GE Aerospace's separation from General Electric, they operated one of the oldest flying testbeds—a Boeing 747 registered as N747GE. Originally delivered to Pan American World Airways in 1970, this aircraft was acquired by General Electric in 1992 for testing purposes until its retirement in 2017.

Following this retirement, GE Aerospace obtained another Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet registered as N747GF. Initially built in 1994 and used by Japan Airlines until its retirement in September 2010, this aircraft now supports flight testing exclusively.

Recently, this Boeing participated in NASA's Contrail Optical Depth Experiment (CODEX) program launched in November to study contrails' effects. A NASA aircraft equipped with LiDAR sensors scans air behind GE's flying testbed to create three-dimensional images of contrails produced by the engines.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group has highlighted the importance of its Corporate Treasury Team in managing financial resources.

Jul 26, 2025

Etihad Airways is preparing to launch its new Airbus A321LR aircraft, which promises to enhance the narrow-body flying experience.

Jul 26, 2025

Eurowings has been recognized as one of the top airlines in Europe, according to a study by the consumer portal Flightright.

Jul 25, 2025

American Airlines is set to reintroduce its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft for domestic flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) this fall.

Jul 25, 2025

Southwest Airlines is in the process of introducing extra-legroom seats across its fleet, with about 25% of its planes now featuring these new rows.

Jul 25, 2025

The Ethiopian Airlines Group recently marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of its expanded Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities.

Jul 25, 2025