The FAA has certified the folding wingtips that Boeing has installed on its Boeing 777X, the latest iteration of its long-haul stalwart. The new aircraft has longer wings than current models, allowing higher, faster and more fuel-efficient operation, but that means they won’t fit well into a lot of airport gates. Chopping about 15 feet off the wingspan by borrowing a long-accepted design feature of carrier-borne aircraft was a simple solution, but because these aren’t military aircraft, the FAA needed some safety assurances.
FAA Certifies Boeing 777 Folding Wingtips
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA has certified the folding wingtips on Boeing's new 777X aircraft.
- This design allows the 777X to have longer wings for higher, faster, and more fuel-efficient operation.
- The wingtips fold up on the ground, reducing the wingspan from 235 feet to 212 feet, enabling the aircraft to fit into existing airport gates.
- The 777X utilizes carbon-fiber composites for its wings and will be the first twin-engine jetliner to carry over 400 passengers.
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