How would you improve the CFM-56? I know GE and SNECMA are eager for your solution.

average time on wing for a CFM in 2002 was over 16,000 hours without a shop visit. Some -5s and -7s have more than 30,000 hrs before going to the shop. Over the life of the engine, they have changed the blades, introduced new blades with internal cooling, new ceramics, etc... lots of changes over the years so it is not your father's CFM...

Inflight shut down is something on the order of 1 shutdown per 330,000 hours so the likelihood a flier moving through the air with a CFM will experience a shut down in his/her lift time is only a consideration is s/he flies for 185 years, not likely even in today's ruinous pension environment.

What would you do in a new engine and how? Also, consider a new engine will have to be much 'greener' for the Euro-enviros and Hot House Al. Maybe you can create an engine that fires seeds into the ground essentially planting new trees where it flies and creating carbon offsets (the left's new religion and similar to the old Papal Bulls...)

One final.. how much will it cost to develop and when will you have it in the market? How much growth will the engine have and what will be the initial thrust target? Will it burn bio-fuels?