Boeing has begun FAA certification test flights for its 777X commercial jet, with the initial flight completed and further tests planned over the next 18 months.
The 777X is engineered for enhanced fuel efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, greater operating range, and lower operational costs compared to its competitor, the Airbus A350.
Key design features include unique folding wingtips for airport compatibility, advanced touchscreen cockpit technology, and an expanded passenger cabin with larger, higher windows.
Boeing has initiated a series of test flights for its commercial twin-engine 777X that are required for the jet to be certified by the FAA.
According to the Seattle Times, the first aircraft took off from King County International Airport/Boeing Field (KBFI) on Friday at 6 p.m. PDT with Boeing pilots and FAA personnel on board.
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
