Tag Archives: 747-121

Boeing 737 MAX LEAP-1B engine begins its flight test program on a Boeing 747-100 at Victorville

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) and CFM International announced yesterday (May 7) that they successfully initiated flight testing of the LEAP-1B* engine on April 29 on a modified ex-Pan Am Boeing 747-100 (see below) flying testbed at GE Aviation Flight Test Operations in Victorville, California.

According to Boeing, “The testing is the next major milestone in a two-year program that will culminate in engine certification in 2016 and delivery of the first Boeing 737 MAX in 2017. The engine performed well and completed multiple aeromechanical test points at various altitudes during the five hour, 30 minute first flight.”

Above photo: CFM International.

The LEAP-1B engine (above) is the exclusive powerplant for the Boeing 737 MAX family and is part of the most extensive ground and flight test certification program in CFM’s history. The first LEAP-1B engine began ground testing on June 13, 2014, three days ahead of the schedule set when the program was launched in 2011.

Over the next several weeks, the flight test program will encompass a comprehensive test schedule that will gauge engine operability, stall margin, performance, emissions and acoustics. It also will further validate the advanced technologies incorporated in the engine, including the woven carbon fiber composite fan, the Twin-Annular, Pre-Mixing Swirler (TAPS) combustor, ceramic matrix composite shrouds in the high-pressure turbine and titanium aluminide blades in the low-pressure turbine.

To date, the 737 MAX has accumulated 2,724 orders from 57 customers worldwide.

* The LEAP-1B is a product of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran) and GE.

Video: From CFM International: Who do jet engines work?

Bottom photo: Boeing. The test airframe is the pictured GE Aircraft Engines Boeing 747-121 N747GE (msn 19651) seen departing from Victorville with the test engine. The historic Jumbo was originally delivered to Pan Am as N744PA on June 21, 1972.

You can have the 1970s “Pan Am Experience” at Air Hollywood

Air Hollywood, the studio in Hollywood where many movies involving airliners are filmed, is now offering the “Pan Am Experience” to help “passengers” relive the golden age of air travel on the original Pan Am of the 1970s. Prices range from $297 for the First Class experience and $197 for Clipper Class. The “experience” never leaves the ground, it occurs inside the mock Boeing 747 cabin that is used for making movies. Air Hollywood describes the experience:

From its birth in 1927, Pan American Airways was the pioneer airline whose routes spanned 6 continents and more than 80 countries. Almost a century later, the name Pan Am is still a very powerful brand, and inside this Southern California motion picture studio sits an exact replica of the airline’s Boeing 747 and everything that made it so special.

Your Pan Am experience starts on the main deck with a cocktail and beverage service in the First Class cabin. Each stewardess that greets you will be adorned in her original 1970’s Pan Am uniform. Our Pan Am crew will offer various video & audio selections while you sit back in your Pan Am Sleeperette seat and sip a cocktail.

Soon after, you’ll climb the winding staircase where the crew will set your table for a truly memorable dining event. In classic Pan Am style, you’ll be offered your favorite cocktail and served a delightful gourmet meal. Everything from the china to the glassware is authentic with careful attention to the exquisite service delivery of the era and menu offerings of Pan Am.

After dinner, you will have an opportunity to view the vast collection of airline memorabilia and view other film production sets.

For the first time since Pan Am ceased operations, you can now relive the magic of this golden era in travel. We cordially invite you to personally experience this unique “flying” opportunity in the tradition of Pan Am.

Prices:

All photos above by Air Hollywood.

For more information: CLICK HERE

Pan Am (1st) Slide Show:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 747-121 N751PA (msn 19655) “Clipper Midnight Sun” displays the classic 1976 livery of the first and original Pan Am.