In the late 1970s, Airbus was designing the A310 and Boeing was working on the B767. Both of these aircraft were to be slightly smaller than the A300, so their power requirements were initially below 50,000 lbs of thrust. In the meantime we had de-rated the CF6-50 to 45,000 lbs of thrust for use on a special short-range version of the B747 for ANA. Because we had this engine in hand, we proposed it to Airbus and Boeing. This had the additional advantage of providing commonality with our engines around the world. The engine proposal was well received by Airbus as well as by Lufthansa, which was to be one of the launch customers.

Joe Sutter, the chief engineer of Boeing's 767, wanted a new engine, however. Bob Hawkins and I went to Seattle and saw Joe to be sure of what he wanted. While we were there, we came up with the idea of taking the turbine mid-frame out of the CF6-50 and redesigning the low-pressure turbine to reduce the length, weight, and complexity of the engine. We also added some better performance features. This engine, designated the CF6-80A, was to be the first engine of the CF6-80 series, which was to be the best of the CF6 family. It went into service on both the B767 and A310 in 1983. Hawkins and I returned to Cincinnati to get agreement from Fred MacFee and Lou Tomasetti, who were running commercial projects at the time. Together they...