Since the signing of the first North American non-airline CFM Branded Service Agreement (CBSA) in March 2023, StandardAero has made remarkable progress in establishing a dedicated LEAP line at its San Antonio, TX facility.
StandardAero’s induction of its first customer CFM International LEAP engine marks a substantial milestone in the company’s expansion of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines. Since the signing of the first North American non-airline CFM Branded Service Agreement (CBSA) in March 2023, StandardAero has made remarkable progress in establishing a dedicated LEAP line at its San Antonio, TX facility. The company, with its 810,000 sq. ft. San Antonio facility has been actively preparing to offer Continued Time Engine Maintenance (CTEM) services for LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B starting in Q1 2024. This includes Performance Restoration Shop Visit (PRSV) capability, with engine testing, anticipated in early 2025.
The journey towards this achievement involved several key steps. StandardAero’s team of MRO experts efficiently integrated the LEAP engines into its operations. In October, the San Antonio site added the LEAP to its U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Operations Specifications ahead of schedule. This move triggered FAA authorization for StandardAero, further leading to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) authorization through a bilateral agreement with the FAA.
Throughout this process, the company has been proactive in expanding its team of LEAP technicians. This involves comprehensive training programs, including courses delivered by CFM. The recent addition of a LEAP training engine to its resources underscores StandardAero’s commitment to fostering expertise in its workforce.
Lewis Prebble, President of Airlines & Fleets, 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.”
The commencement of LEAP engine inductions, less than nine months after joining CFM’s LEAP MRO ecosystem, highlights the effectiveness of StandardAero’s formal New Product Introduction (NPI) process. The company is aiming to provide responsive and reliable support to the global Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX customer base.
StandardAero is not only expanding its MRO capabilities but is also actively involved in developing new engine component repairs for the LEAP family. Its Components & Accessories division, operating through a network of locations and a Repair & Development Center of Excellence, is contributing to the evolution of CFM’s LEAP MRO ecosystem.
“StandardAero’s induction of its first CFM LEAP engine is another key milestone for our open LEAP MRO ecosystem,” said Gaël Méheust, president & CEO, CFM International.“We commend their dedication to supporting our customers and are very confident in their capabilities to provide world-class MRO support,” he further added.
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In conclusion, StandardAero’s induction of its first customer CFM LEAP engine reflects not only a major milestone for the company but also a testament to the efficiency of collaboration within the aviation industry. The expansion of MRO capabilities, the commitment to workforce training, and the development of new engine component repairs position StandardAero as a key player in supporting the growing demand for LEAP engines globally. This achievement contributes to the ongoing narrative of innovation and excellence in the aviation maintenance sector.
