If you’ve flown on an Airbus A320 more than once, particularly in the Philippines, you might have noticed that they don’t all sound the same. While some may think they sound identical, frequent flyers may have observed that one A320 can sound different from another. This variation is because the A320 family operates with different engines, depending on the variant and series of the aircraft.
To clarify, there are different variants within the A320 family. These include the regular A320, the longer A321, the shorter A319, and the ‘baby bus,’ the A318. All of these are narrowbody planes belonging to the A320 family. Additionally, there are different series: the ‘CEO’ or ‘Current Engine Option’ series and the newer ‘NEO’ or ‘New Engine Option’ series.
The A320ceo family offers two common engine options: the CFM56-5B/5C and the IAE V2500. You can easily tell them apart by their appearance. The CFM56 resembles a conventional commercial aircraft jet engine, while the IAE V2500 has a shape similar to a blow-dryer, due to its common nozzle assembly, which is discussed in detail here.
For the A320neo family, there are also two engine options: the CFM LEAP 1A and the now controversial PW1100G-JM engines.
CFM56-5B/5C
The CFM56-5B/5C is a turbofan engine developed by CFM International, a joint venture between General Electric and Safran. It was the first engine to be certified for the Airbus A320 family, and it powered the majority of A320s until the introduction of the LEAP-1A. The CFM56-5B/5C is a reliable and fuel-efficient engine, but it is not as quiet or environmentally friendly as the newer engines.
IAE V2500
The IAE V2500 is a turbofan engine developed by International Aero Engines, a consortium of Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, and Japanese Aero Engines Corporation. It was the second engine to be certified for the Airbus A320 family, and it was used on a minority of A320s. The IAE V2500 is a powerful and reliable engine, but it is not as fuel-efficient or quiet as the newer engines.
CFM LEAP-1A
The CFM LEAP-1A is a turbofan engine developed by CFM International. It is the most fuel-efficient engine in its class, and it offers a 15% reduction in fuel consumption compared to the CFM56-5B/5C. The LEAP-1A is also known for its quiet operation and its low emissions.
PW1100G-JM
The Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM is a geared turbofan engine developed by Pratt & Whitney. It is the first geared turbofan engine to be certified for commercial use, and it offers a 20% reduction in fuel consumption compared to the CFM56-5B/5C. The PW1100G-JM is also known for its high thrust-to-weight ratio and its low emissions.
| Feature | CFM56-5B/5C | IAE V2500 | CFM LEAP-1A | PW1100G-JM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thrust | 32,000 to 34,000 lbf | 30,000 to 33,600 lbf | 43,500 to 47,500 lbf | 43,000 to 47,000 lbf |
| Thrust-to-weight ratio | 6.2:1 to 6.5:1 | 5.6:1 to 6.0:1 | 9.7:1 to 10.7:1 | 9.5:1 to 10.5:1 |
| Noise | 92 to 98 dB | 92 to 97 dB | 97 to 101 dB | 95 to 99 dB |
| Bypass ratio | 5.3:1 | 5.9:1 | 10.9:1 to 11.2:1 | 11:1 to 11.5:1 |
| Emissions | Low | Low | Very low | Very low |
The CFM LEAP-1A and the PW1100G-JM are the most advanced engines available for the Airbus A320 family. They offer significant improvements in fuel efficiency, noise, and emissions compared to the previous generation of engines.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
