GE Aerospace has flown its Boeing 747-400 Flying Test Bed to evaluate new engine technologies tied to the GE9X and LEAP programmes. The modified ex-Japan Airlines aircraft, acquired in 2010 and used as an airborne laboratory, carried out demanding flight profiles on 28 August as the company continued work aimed at validating performance, durability, safety and certification requirements.
Aviation International News described the sortie as a seven-hour mission that included engine shutdowns, restart attempts, high-angle-of-attack flying and sideslip manoeuvres. The testbed has long supported GE’s commercial propulsion development and has been used to gather real-world data that feeds into certification and product decisions.
The latest flight underscores the role of airborne testing alongside ground campaigns as GE matures engine technology for future service. The 747 testbed has previously supported multiple engine programmes, and the current work keeps it central to the company’s evaluation of next-generation propulsion systems.