A320neo

Airbus has completed the maiden flight of its A320neo equipped with CFM International’s Leap-1A engines in Toulouse, France.

During the 4h 25min flight, the company evaluated the A320neo’s airspeed and load factor capabilities at up to 39,000ft and engine speed variation.

With registration F-WNEW, the aircraft was flown by experimental test pilots Philippe Perrin and Malcolm Ridley.

Airbus A320 programme head Klaus Roewe said: "With the second Neo engine now taking to the skies, we are progressing well towards fulfilling our objective to offer our customers an engine choice for a product at the cutting edge of competitiveness."

In September last year, the company completed the first flight of A320neo, powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines.

"We are progressing well towards fulfilling our objective to offer our customers an engine choice for a product at the cutting edge of competitiveness."

Airbus selected the Leap engine for the A320neo in December 2010. The engine has so far received 2,508 orders and commitments, which accounts for 55% of all A320neo orders.

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CFM International, a 50:50 joint venture of Snecma (Safran) and GE, said that Leap-1A will succeed the CFM56.

The company expected to receive the US Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency certification for the engine, to support the aircraft entry into service.

Currently, there are more than 30 Leap engines of all three versions on test or in final assembly, and the programme has logged more than 3,660 test hours and 5,460 test cycles.

As of 30 April, the Leap engine versions have secured more than 8,900 orders and commitments worldwide.

Image: The Leap engine for the A320neo was selected in 2010. Photo: courtesy of P Pigeyre / Airbus SAS.