Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

The Leap 1C engine developed by CFM International for the Comac C919 narrowbody has completed almost 100 hours of flight testing on the Boeing 747 operated by joint venture partner GE Aviation. The turbofan features the integrated propulsion system (IPS) developed for the new Chinese airliner by Nexcelle, which is a joint venture between GE’s Middle River Aircraft Systems division and Safran’s Aircelle. <a href="mailto:http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2014-10-09/cfms-leap-engine-begins-flight-test-program">Leap flight testing</a> began on October 9 at GE’s Victorville, Calif. facility.&nbsp;

 


Overall, the Leap engine has now completed more than 1,500 hours of ground and flight tests as it heads for initial certification in 2015. The Leap 1A turbofan will power Airbus's new A320neo and the Leap 1B variant will be used for Boeing's 737 Max. On November 11, China's Zhejiang Loong Airlines signed an agreement with CFM--a joint venture between Snecma and GE--to buy Leap 1A engines for nine A320neos.

 


At C919 quarterly program review meeting held in late October, Comac told its partners that the first full prototype will be completely assembled by the end of December 2014. The airframer, which has had several delays with the program, now wants to roll out the C919 by mid-2015 and achieve a first flight by the end of the year. “They have had some challenges with the program, but they are now very close to being on track and are progressing quite well,” Nexcelle president Michel Abella told AIN just ahead of this week’s Airshow China in&nbsp;Zhuhai.

 


Nexcelle’s primary goal for Leap’s new IPS is to lower operators’ direct operating costs by contributing to improved performance of the engines and delivering improved reliability. For instance, overall installed weight has been reduced through using new pylon&nbsp;designs.

 


Nexcelle’s new Panache thrust reverser for the Leap-1C IPS nacelle system features the company’s new O-Duct design, which replaces two D-shaped doors in a traditional reverser. The O-Duct design is more efficient due to the removal of the links that cut the reverser’s flow path in two with the D-shaped&nbsp;doors.

 


In the new unit, the thrust-blocking doors are located around the full inner circumference of the composite O-Duct structure. They are deployed by new mechanisms attached to the forward frame and are fully contained inside the O-Duct structure when stowed, avoiding any interference with fan&nbsp;flow.

 


Aircelle’s SAVI joint venture with China’s Xi’an Aircraft International Corporation is now building some 2,000 blocker doors each year for the thrust reversers used on the CFM56-5A and CFM56-5B engines that power Airbus A320 airliners. The Shanghai-based operation was established in 2011 to produce and assemble nacelle components and may yet become involved in manufacturing of the IPS units for the Leap 1C&nbsp;engine.

 


Meanwhile, Nexcelle is also developing an IPS for GE’s new Passport engine for business aircraft. The powerplant has been selected by Bombardier for its new Global 7000 and 8000 business jets. The <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2014-09-04/ge-passport-engine-now-slated-fly-late-year">Passport</a> is due to make its first flight later this&nbsp;year.

 


&nbsp;

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Leap 1C Engine Tests Continue as Comac's C919 Takes Shape

Comac told its partners that the first full prototype will be completely assembled by the end of December 2014.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

BR23 Energic is an electric version of the piston-powered two-seater

Elfly Will Distribute Electric BR23 Training Aircraft in Nordic Countries

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Low-cost turboprop engine could be suitable replacement for pistons

Serbia's Green Power Certifying Small Turboprop Engine

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Technology demonstrator based on TBM aircraft logged 100 flight hours

EcoPulse Partners Report on Hybrid-electric Flight Tests

Magni650 electric propulsion unit simulated flight at 30,000 feet on a testbed aircraft

MagniX and NASA Complete Electric Propulsion Ground Tests

Sarah Rose

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

"Supply chain is affecting a lot of things right now."

Engines Leaders Rev Up for 2025

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Chinese eVTOL aircraft manufacturer has also made its first passenger demonstration flights in Thailand

EHang Seeks Higher-performance eVTOL Electric Propulsion Systems

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Trading update reports strong demand in the commercial airliner engines sector

Rolls-Royce Confirms Closure of Electric Propulsion Unit

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

More In Engines