May 7th, 2015

CFM International has begun flight testing its new LEAP-1B engine. The LEAP-1B is the new engine for the Boeing 737 MAX series. Flight testing actually was started on April 29th, 2015. CFM and Boeing just announced the news today. CFM is using GE's Boeing 747-100, N747GE, as the flight test aircraft for the engine. CFM is a fifty-fifty split joint company owned by GE and Snecma (Safran). Flight testing is occurring in Victorville, CA at the Southern California Logistics Airport (ICAO: KVCV). CFM has 26 LEAP-1B engines with all 3 models for testing. The CFM LEAP-1B engine was launched in 2011 and ground testing of the engine was started on June 13th, 2014. CFM International is expecting that the engine will be certified in 2016 and Boeing will be able to deliver the Boeing 737 MAX in 2017.

cfm leap-1b engine on ge 747

Above photo by CFM International. Used under the fair use provision.

leap-1b flight test for boeing 737 max on GE 747-100

Above photo by Boeing. Photo used under the fair use provision.