Boeing's 777X certification program is like the aircraft's development: excessively long. The American aircraft manufacturer had to endure a new five-month suspension in mid-August 2024 due to a failure in the thrust rods, detected during flight tests. The third test aircraft, WH003 (N779XY) was grounded while flying in Kona, Hawaii. Introduced in 2020, the aircraft should resume its activity, and end a long period without taking to the air, since September 2024 (and its return flight from Kona to Seattle).
Boeing's next flight is scheduled for January 15, Saturday. A "complete resumption of the certification program", unless a new problem is detected and forces the aircraft manufacturer to keep its 777X on the ground. Later, Boeing must introduce the WH004, a fourth example of its long-haul aircraft, equipped with a cabin representative of the future production of the aircraft. It will naturally be responsible for testing the various features offered to airlines.
Following its certification, which Boeing now estimates for 2026, the first deliveries should follow immediately. The American aircraft manufacturer needs it, while in 2024 it recorded its worst year since 2011, with only 348 aircraft delivered. Compared to Airbus, Boeing's financial year last year was only half that of the European. In 2018, during its best year, Boeing delivered 806 aircraft. For 2025, its goal is to reach a rate of 38 737 Max aircraft per month.
A 777X also disrupted by strikes at Boeing
The delay in the resumption of certification flights is also explained by the strike by Boeing employees last year, for seven weeks, which began on September 13. Boeing did not have a visual on the continuation of its production capacities before a compromise was reached with the unions at the end of the year. Without its factories, there is no point in resuming the certification of the Boeing 777X if deliveries cannot follow behind.
The old examples of the 777X will also return to service, like the WH001. This one had become the main one for all stability and control tests, and for the evaluation of aerodynamics at high and low speeds. It was also the main guinea pig to complete the braking tests. Its return to the certification fleet is expected in the coming weeks. As for the WH002, Boeing should use it again for its tests of the automatic landing system.
Source: Aviation Week
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