21C2730G001 - General Electric FOD Aircraft Ground Servicing Screen

21C2730G001 – General Electric FOD Aircraft Ground Servicing Screen

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Overview

The General Electric 21C2730G001 is a flight-critical piece of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) known as a Foreign Object Damage (FOD) screen or inlet screen. This assembly is specifically engineered for the bellmouth inlet of the General Electric CF6-80C2 series turbofan engine during ground maintenance operations, particularly for engine testing in a test cell or on-wing. Its sole, critical purpose is to provide a robust physical barrier that prevents foreign objects—such as tools, hardware, debris, or even personnel badges—from being ingested into the engine core. Engine ingestion is a catastrophic event that can cause billions of dollars in damage and create an extreme safety hazard.

Constructed from a high-strength, corrosion-resistant steel frame and precision wire mesh, the 21C2730G001 is designed for a perfect, secure fit to the engine inlet. The mesh is engineered to be aerodynamically efficient, providing the necessary protection with a minimal and predictable impact on engine airflow and performance parameters during ground runs. The screen is typically coated in a high-visibility, durable material to prevent it from being accidentally left on the engine before flight. This is an indispensable safety device for any MRO or operator performing maintenance on CF6 engines.

Key Features

• OEM Certification: Genuine General Electric equipment, ensuring a perfect aerodynamic and physical fit to the CF6-80C2 engine inlet.

• Superior FOD Protection: Provides a positive barrier against foreign object ingestion during ground maintenance and engine testing.

• Aerodynamically Optimized: The screen mesh is designed to minimize airflow disruption, allowing for stable engine operation during ground runs.

• Robust Construction: Features a durable, welded or cast steel frame and high-tensile wire mesh to withstand the immense suction force of the engine.

• High-Visibility Finish: Coated in a bright, resilient color (typically red or orange polyurethane) to serve as a visual reminder for removal before flight.

• Durable Materials: Fabricated from corrosion-resistant steel (CRES) to resist environmental degradation in demanding flight line and test cell environments.

Technical Specifications

• Part Number: 21C2730G001

• Component Type: Ground Servicing FOD/Inlet Screen

• OEM Manufacturer: General Electric (GE) Aviation

• Application: GE CF6-80C2 Turbofan Engine Inlet

• Material (Frame): High-Strength, Corrosion-Resistant Steel (CRES).

• Material (Screen): CRES Wire Mesh.

• Finish: High-visibility, chemical-resistant polyurethane coating.

• Governing Specifications: Manufactured to proprietary GE Aviation tooling and safety specifications.

Aircraft Compatibility

This is a piece of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and is not installed for flight. It is used during ground maintenance on aircraft powered by the GE CF6-80C2 engine, including:

• Boeing: 747-400, 767-200/300ER

• Airbus: A300-600, A310-300

• McDonnell Douglas: MD-11

Note: The applicability of this screen is specific to the GE CF6-80C2 engine series. Always verify the correct GSE part number in the aircraft or engine maintenance manual.

Applications

• Engine Ground Testing: Used during on-wing or test-cell engine runs for maintenance, troubleshooting, and performance verification.

• Engine Preservation: Can be used to prevent debris and wildlife from entering the engine during short-term storage or parking on the flight line.

• Maintenance Safety: Provides a critical safety barrier during any maintenance activity forward of the engine inlet where objects could be dropped or dislodged.

Why Choose 21C2730G001?

Foreign Object Damage is one of the leading causes of unscheduled engine removals and catastrophic engine failures. The cost of a single ingestion event can easily exceed the cost of the engine itself. The GE 21C2730G001 is an OEM-engineered safety device, designed and tested by the engine manufacturer to provide maximum protection with a known, acceptable impact on engine performance during ground runs. Using a non-certified, "will-fit," or damaged screen introduces immense risk. An improperly designed screen could fail structurally and be ingested itself, or it could create harmful aerodynamic turbulence. For the protection of multi-million-dollar assets and the safety of personnel, there is no substitute for this genuine GE part.

The engineering design of the 21C2730G001 FOD screen represents a critical compromise between permeability and protection. The screen must be sufficiently robust to stop a dropped tool, yet "aerodynamically transparent" enough to not excessively disrupt the incident airflow into the fan face, which could lead to fan blade stall or inaccurate engine performance readings. The screen's wire diameter, mesh pattern, and open area percentage are precisely calculated to create a known, predictable pressure drop across the screen at various engine power settings. This pressure drop is accounted for in the test cell or on-wing maintenance procedures, allowing technicians to accurately assess engine performance. The rounded profile of the wire mesh and the structural frame members are also designed to minimize the generation of turbulent eddies in the airstream, ensuring a relatively laminar flow into the engine, which is crucial for stable operation.

Note: The 21C2730G001 is a piece of Ground Support Equipment and is for GROUND USE ONLY. It must be conspicuously placarded and included in the pre-start and pre-flight checklists to ensure its removal before any flight operations. Installation and removal must be performed by qualified ground personnel in accordance with the applicable Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) procedures. Inspect the screen for structural integrity and mesh damage before each use.

Documentation

No public-facing OEM or regulatory documentation was located for this specific part number. All authoritative data, installation procedures, and inspection criteria are contained within the proprietary General Electric CF6-80C2 Engine Shop Manuals and the relevant Aircraft Maintenance Manuals (AMM).