KLM donates CF6-50 engine to Delft University of Technology

KLM donates CF6-50 engine to Delft University of Technology

Dec 7, 2015  | Mechanical engineering 

KLM donates CF6-50 engine to Delft University of Technology
(Photo by: KLM)

KLM handed over one of its last CF6-50 aircraft engines to the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering of the Delft University of Technology. After 43 years of dedicated service to KLM, the engine will now be used for training purposes.

In December 1972, KLM took receipt of its first CF6-50 engines from General Electric (GE). The engine type donated to the Delft University of Technology was used extensively for wide-body passenger aircraft including the Airbus 300, McDonnell Douglas DC10 and Boeing 747. The engine in question successfully powered more than 26,000 flights, operating a total of no less than 57,000 flight hours. The CF6-50 type is one of the most successful aircraft engines in aviation history.

Because, nowadays, this engine type isn’t used very often, KLM decided to donate a CF6-50 engine to the university where students can use it for training purposes. “We firmly believe that tomorrow’s aircraft engineers can learn a lot from this masterpiece,” said Rob Duivis, programme manager at KLM Engine Services. KLM now uses more economical engines such as the GEnx-1B type for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The engine was symbolically handed over today by KLM Engineering & Maintenance to Hester Bijl, Dean of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering. After the engine was handed over, Mr Paul Chün, Vice President Engine Services KLM, gave a lecture at the university.

Via KLM
Image,video ©: KLM