CFM56-5B Acoustic Upgrade Certification Imminent

LE BOURGET – June 16, 2003 – Certification by the European Joint Airworthiness Authorities of the CFM56-5B acoustic upgrade package for the Airbus A321 is on schedule for September 2003, and the hardware will be available to customers by October of this year. CFM56-5B engines, which power the Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321, are produced by CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs of France and General Electric Company.
CFM and Airbus defined the acoustic package to ensure this aircraft/engine combination will operate well within proposed limits. The upgrade kit, which includes a core chevron nozzle and improved reverser treatment in the nacelle, was designed to reduce noise levels to 10 EPNdB (effective perceived noise in decibels) below FAR 36 Stage 3 noise limits. During the Airbus flight test program recently conducted on an A321, the upgraded propulsion system achieved design intent and, as a result, will meet, with significant margin, the new noise regulations taking effect January 1, 2006.

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For further information, contact:

Jamie Jewell
33.1.41.57.55.51
jamie.jewell@ae.ge.com
U.S.: 513.243.6890

Rick Kennedy
33.1.41.57.60.02
rick.l.kennedy@ae.ge.com
U.S.: 513.243.3372

Vincent Chappard
33.1. 41.57.55.30
vincent.chappard@snecma.fr
Paris: 33.1.40.60.80.18