GE Aerospace uses Boeing 747 as flying lab for new jet engines

Key facts

• GE Aerospace uses a modified Boeing 747-400 as a flying test bed for new jet engines.
• The aircraft is being used to test the GE9X engine, intended for Boeing's 777X.
• The 747 is equipped with extensive instrumentation to collect approximately 1,000 parameters during tests.
• The GE9X engine previously set a world record for thrust at 134,300 pounds.
• The 747 testbed has completed over 1,500 test flights since its modification.

GE Aerospace, a leading American manufacturer, has transformed a 32-year-old Boeing 747-400 into a sophisticated "flying laboratory" to test and certify new jet engines. Purchased from Japan Airlines in 2010, this modified aircraft, registered as N747GF, serves as GE's Flying Test Bed (FTB), replacing an older model.

The "flying laboratory" is based at a hangar in Victorville, California, and has undertaken over 1,500 test flights. Its cabin has been extensively refitted with thousands of feet of wiring, data boxes, and computer stations, transforming the former passenger space into a high-tech data collection hub. GE's chief flight test pilot, Jonathan Ohman, stated that the instrumentation collects approximately 1,000 parameters per flight, including thrust, fuel flow, and oil temperature.

The primary mission of this 747 FTB is to test and prove the latest commercial engines. It has already played a crucial role in certifying engines for aircraft such as the Airbus A320, Boeing 737, and China's Comac narrowbody. Currently, the 747 is focused on testing the GE9X engine, which is being developed for Boeing's upcoming 777X aircraft. The GE9X is notable for its immense size and power, having achieved a record thrust of 134,300 pounds during testing and receiving FAA certification in 2020.

Despite facing delays due to quality, production, and supply chain issues at Boeing, the 777X is anticipated to enter service in 2027, with German carrier Lufthansa slated to be the launch customer. The modified 747 continues to be essential for the ongoing testing and certification of this advanced engine.