StandardAero Inducts First Customer CFM LEAP Engine, Completing Another Critical Industrialization Step Ahead Of Schedule
StandardAero has Inducted its first customer CFM LEAP engine, marking a major milestone in the company’s introduction of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B at its facility in San Antonio, TX.
Since signing the first North American non-airline CFM Branded Service Agreement (CBSA) for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B in March 2023, StandardAero’s team of MRO experts have made strong progress in establishing a dedicated LEAP line at the 810,000 sq. ft. San Antonio facility. In October, the site added the LEAP to its U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Operations Specifications, two months ahead of schedule. This achievement triggered FAA authorization of StandardAero for the LEAP -1A and LEAP-1B, which led in turn to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) authorization through bilateral agreement with the FAA.
StandardAero will offer LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B Continued Time Engine Maintenance (CTEM) services to customers beginning in Q1 2024, with Performance Restoration Shop Visit (PRSV) capability coming online in early 2025, including engine testing. The company continues to grow its team of LEAP technicians through CFM-delivered training courses, and recently took possession of a LEAP training engine to further advance its technician ramp-up. StandardAero also recently graduated the third and fourth classes from its in-house Aviation Mechanic Training Program at the San Antonio site’s Training Academy.
Commenting on achievement of this milestone, Lewis Prebble, President of Airlines & Fleets for StandardAero, said: “StandardAero is pleased to demonstrate its commitment to CFM’s LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B operator base by inducting its first customer engine in less than nine months after joining CFM’s LEAP MRO ecosystem. It is a testament to great teamwork and the rigor of our formal New Product Introduction (NPI) process that this milestone was achieved two months ahead of schedule. We are confident of delivering on our commitment to introduce LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B CTEM services from February 2024, followed by PRSV capability in Q4 of the same year, and look forward to supporting the global A320neo and 737 MAX customer base with responsive, reliable support for decades to come.”
In addition to establishing MRO capability for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B at its San Antonio facility, StandardAero is also developing new engine component repairs for the LEAP family through its Components & Accessories division’s network of locations and its Repair & Development Center of Excellence.
“StandardAero’s induction of its first CFM LEAP engine is another key milestone for our open LEAP MRO ecosystem,” said Gaël Méheust, president & CEO of CFM International. “We commend their dedication to supporting our customers and are very confident in their capabilities to provide world-class MRO support.”
CFM International, the 50/50 joint company between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines founded in 1974, has redefined international cooperation and helped change the course of commercial aviation. Today, CFM is the world’s leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines with a product line that sets the industry standard for efficiency, reliability, durability, and optimized cost of ownership for narrowbody aircraft. The company produces the LEAP family of engines and supports LEAP and CFM56 fleets for more than 600 operators worldwide.
