US Chooses IAE Engines for New Airbus Narrowbodies

[PHX PHLyer]

http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=54853

What do the East pilots think of this? Do you have to do any extra training for different engines?

 

[SegmentKing]

I wonder how they will perform; but this doesn't make much sense due to the East having 20 or so 321's with the CFM motors on them. I understand the A319/A320's for IAE... oh well.

 

[nycbusdriver]

http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=54853

What do the East pilots think of this? Do you have to do any extra training for different engines?

I don't fly the little bus anymore, but have a lot of time in them. The CFM-56s are great engines and thoroughly reliable. But that doesn't mean I think the IAE is any better or worse. I just don't know enough about them. Since the west has IAE already, they probably decided going with IAE for the new orders was the most cost effective.

I doubt training will amount to much more than a few page changes in the Pilot Handbook, a few more numbers to be memorized (maybe,) and a memo typically stating the obvious. Operationally, I doubt there are any significant differences.

I do wonder, though, if they will actually order the new 321s with IAEs that have sufficient power to make that pig perform a bit better.

 

[PHX PHLyer]

Since the west has IAE already, they probably decided going with IAE for the new orders was the most cost effective.

IAE "claims" to be more fuel efficient than CFM. I'm not sure how true this could be considering how many airlines fly CFM Airbuses....but I have seen the ads by IAE several times before.

 

[hp_fa]

I'm probably wrong on this, so feel free to correct me. Aren't the planes with the IAE engines considered less powerful or otherwise not as good as other engines? That was my impression.

 

[luvthe9]

Another stupid TEMPE decision!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[luvn737s]

I'm probably wrong on this, so feel free to correct me. Aren't the planes with the IAE engines considered less powerful or otherwise not as good as other engines? That was my impression.

Early A320's were powered by a less powerful engine, but they also carried proportionately (sorta) less weight.

 

[JetMonkey]

Another stupid TEMPE decision!!!!!!!!!!!

Have you flown with both? Or are you just against anything that's west. 🙄

 

[FlyDCJets]

The order announced was for the later deliveries, the aircraft being taken delivery of next year will be spilt between GE and IAE, and that is based on existing purchase agreements between America West and IAE, and US Airways and GE.
Regards
DC

 

[luvthe9]

Have you flown with both? Or are you just against anything that's west. 🙄

A little of both, sorry I'm like the rest of the East, A-WEST management is very incompetent and is running this place into the ground IMHO.

 

[PHX PHLyer]

If you consider that RR has a lot of influence in IAE (one of the venture's main companies), then it could have been part of a big package deal considering that the A350XWBs that US will get are Rolls-Royce powered. There is nothing wrong with the IAE engine at all. jetBlue, United, British Airways, South African, BMI, Air New Zealand, among others all fly with IAEs

 

[Art at ISP]

The order announced was for the later deliveries, the aircraft being taken delivery of next year will be spilt between GE and IAE, and that is based on existing purchase agreements between America West and IAE, and US Airways and GE.
Regards
DC

Actually, reading the release, it indicates deliveries will begin late 2008. Therefore, perhaps most if not all further deliveries of A32X series will be IAE.

Does anyone know if the IAE equipped A321 has better performance than the current 321's on property?

I would not call this a "stupid" decision, I am sure the Castle got their moneys worth. If maintenance is about the same, but performance and reliability are better, I bet price was the deciding factor.

That said, as the GE equipped east aircraft come due for D checks, I bet they will be gone faster than you can say US Airways, to be replaced by IAE equipped airplanes (perfect way to achieve fleet commonality-on someone else's dime).

We have Jet Blue to thank for a move like that--as their older 320's come due, they just turn them back, and re-lease them once the leasing company pays for the maintenance. One would think the leasing companies would wise up, but perhaps they just build the cost into the lease.

My best to you all...

 

[necigrad]

The IAE A1 engines suced for performance. The A5 gives you an addition 6,000 pounds or so (been a while since I've seen, but that should be sufficiently close) of MTOW. I seem to remember hearing the the CFMs give you better take off performance, and the IAEs have better fuel consumption. Given how we use the A320 series fuel is more important. Were we to actually use them the way Airbus intended CFM would be a better fit.

 

[nycbusdriver]

Does anyone know if the IAE equipped A321 has better performance than the current 321's on property?

I wonder if anyone is now operating 321s with IAE engines. Are Spirit's CFMs or IAEs? I think the old Air Jamaica 321s are CFMs.

 

[PHX PHLyer]

I wonder if anyone is now operating 321s with IAE engines. Are Spirit's CFMs or IAEs? I think the old Air Jamaica 321s are CFMs.

British Airways
Spirit
BMI
Indian Airlines?

All that I can think of for right now