Boeing’s 777X program has reached a crucial milestone as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted authority to begin certification flight tests, marking a significant step towards the aircraft’s entry into commercial service.
The first certification flight test took place on Friday evening, with FAA personnel aboard alongside Boeing’s pilots and flight test team. The aircraft departed from Boeing Field just after 6 p.m. and landed nearly two hours later after flying along the Washington and Oregon coast, according to The Seattle Times.
This development comes after years of delays and increased regulatory scrutiny following the 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019. The FAA had previously demanded extensive testing and redesign of several 777X components, including a critical avionics system governing flight control surfaces.
“The certification flight testing will continue validating the airplane’s safety, reliability and performance,” Boeing stated in an email to The Seattle Times. “We appreciate our regulator’s rigorous oversight.”
The 777X, an upgraded version of the successful 777 twinjet, features new engines and carbon composite wings with folding wingtips to accommodate standard airport gates. The first variant, the 777-9X, is designed to carry 426 passengers in a two-class configuration on long-haul international flights.
Boeing has secured 481 orders for the aircraft, with Emirates being the largest customer with over 200 on order. The planemaker has already built and stored 22 777X jets, with an additional six in various stages of assembly in Everett, Washington.
Industry sources report that Boeing is nearing a potential sale of 20 to 30 777X jets to Korean Air in a deal worth approximately $4 billion to $6 billion. This order could be finalized as early as the Farnborough Air Show, which opens next week near London, according to Reuters.
The certification process is expected to take 12 to 18 months, with Boeing aiming to have the 777X certified and ready for commercial service by the second half of 2025. This timeline represents an unprecedented development period for a derivative aircraft, highlighting the increased regulatory scrutiny and technical challenges faced by the program.
Leave a comment