GE9X Aircraft Engine (Reader Response Draft 2)

 The GE Aerospace website (n.d) states that the GE9X is the “largest and most powerful commercial aircraft engine ever built, incorporating advanced technologies that enable more efficient, quieter flight with fewer emissions”.

The engine, created to propel the new twin-engine 777X aircraft, is the most fuel-efficient in its class. It boasts a staggering 134,300 pounds of thrust. That is 6,400 pounds more than its predecessor, the GE90-115B. Even though it produces more power, the GE9X is designed to achieve 10% lower specific fuel consumption (SFC) as compared to the GE90-115B and 5% better SFC than any engine in its class (GE9X Engine Achieves FAA Certification | GE Aerospace, n.d.). With such big engines, massive amounts of drag can be generated and to overcome that, the GE9X boasts 16 fan blades. All of which were made from carbon fiber. According to GE Aerospace, the fewer fan blades the GE9X possesses boasts the most efficient fan to increase performance and decrease fuel burn (GE9X High Bypass Turbofan | GE Aerospace, n.d.). With all these advanced features, the GE9X is also massive in terms of its size, boasting a diameter of 3.4 meters. It is so large that it can fit a whole Boeing 737 fuselage inside (Adams, 2016). These engines were so large and powerful for one reason only. To power the largest twin-engine aircraft ever produced, the Boeing 777X (777X, n.d.). More specifically the 777-9. With larger engines fitted on the aircraft, it can fly further than any other aircraft currently operating. Its predecessor, the Boeing 777-300ER, can fly up to 7,825 nautical miles. The 777-300ER is fitted with the GE90-115B. The aircraft can operate for up to 15 hours between long-haul destinations between Singapore-London and Paris-Los Angeles (Akanksha, 2020).

With the information on the GE9X on its improvements in power output, noise reduction, and reduced emissions, it becomes evident that this aircraft engine has advanced technologically over its predecessor, the GE90.

Despite the GE9X’s impressive technological advancements, it faces issues and challenges in terms of its potential operational complexities and maintenance costs. Despite the aircraft's futuristic design and materials use, which contribute heavily to the reduction of fuel consumption and emissions, the long-term durability and reliability of certain components remain subjects of scrutiny.

According to (Memon, 2023), the list price of the GE9X is 42 million USD. The GE90, the GE9X’s predecessor, costs 12 million USD less than the GE9X. With a skyrocketing cost to purchase the engine, most full-service airlines are purchasing the GE9X. On top of the immense price tag, maintenance costs are going to be an issue as well. The GE9X engine uses advanced materials and technologies, such as ceramic matrix composites (CMC) and composite fan blades. This use of materials may reduce initial maintenance requirements, but the introduction of materials often leads to specialized maintenance procedures, which require additional training and manpower. On average, companies spend $1,111 on each employee (Malik, 2024). Therefore, with the implementation of state-of-the-art materials, also comes a price of manpower and training.

On top of higher costs, the incorporation of new technologies also requires airlines to adapt their existing aircraft systems to these innovations effectively.

 GE9X High bypass turbofan | GE Aerospace. (n.d.). https://www.geaerospace.com/propulsion/commercial/ge9x

GE9X engine achieves FAA certification | GE Aerospace. (n.d.). https://www.geaerospace.com/press-release/ge9x-engine-family/ge9x-engine-achieves-faa-certification

Adams, E. (2016, April 28). The world’s hugest jet engine is wider than a 737’s fuselage. WIRED. https://www.wired.com/2016/04/worlds-hugest-jet-engine-wider-737s-fuselage/

777X. (n.d.). https://www.boeing.com/commercial/777x/#overview

Akanksha. (2020, January 23). The top 10 longest range airliners in the world. Aerospace Technology. https://www.aerospace-technology.com/features/feature-the-longest-range-airliners-in-the-world/

Memon, O. (2023, May 2). What Are The World's Most Expensive Jet Engines? Simple Flying. https://simpleflying.com/most-expensive-jet-engines/

 

Malik, P. (2024, January 30). What is the true cost of employee training? (2024). The Whatfix Blog | Drive Digital Adoption. https://whatfix.com/blog/cost-of-training-employees/#:~:text=On%20average%2C%20companies%20spent%20%241%2C111%20per%20employee%20on,the%20only%20resource%20you%20spend%20on%20training%20employees.