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Boeing |
Reviving the Path to Commercial Approval for Boeing's Largest Wide-body Aircraft
Boeing is set to reinitiate certification flights for its 777X aircraft, marking a significant step forward in its efforts to bring the wide-body aircraft to market. This move comes five months after a critical pause due to a structural failure in a titanium component, which led to the grounding of its test fleet. The aerospace giant, headquartered in Virginia, has announced its collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to restart these crucial tests.
Addressing Setbacks and Regulatory Challenges
The grounding of the test fleet in late August highlighted a design flaw during a maintenance review, prompting a temporary halt in the evaluation process. This incident adds to a series of delays for the 777-9, the larger variant of the 777X family. The FAA’s slow authorization process has already pushed back the timeline, with commercial approval still anticipated to take several additional months.
Implications for Future Deliveries and Boeing's Use of Titanium
Due to the testing pause and a consequential seven-week strike last fall, Boeing has revised the first delivery schedule of the 777X to 2026. Notably, the 777X stands as Boeing’s most titanium-intensive project to date, with the lightweight, high-strength metal constituting up to 20% of the aircraft by weight. This significant use of titanium not only underscores the aircraft's innovative design but also Boeing's commitment to enhancing performance and efficiency.
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