Rolls-Royce’s Boeing 747-200 flying test bed [Credit: Rolls-Royce]
Key Takeaways:
Rolls-Royce has retired its Boeing 747-200 "Flying Test Bed" (FTB) after 20 years and over 2,000 hours of service, having been instrumental in engine development since 2005.
The specially modified aircraft played a crucial role in developing engines such as the Trent 1000 and Pearl 10X, often operating with five engines or testing different engine types simultaneously.
A key achievement was its 2021 flight demonstrating Trent 1000 engine compatibility with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), marking a significant step towards Rolls-Royce's goal of 100 percent SAF compatibility across its engine types.
Aircraft engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is retiring a Boeing 747-200 test aircraft after 20 years in service.
The company said the aircraft, known as the “Flying Test Bed” (FTB) and registered as N787RR, flew its last assignment in July. It had been in service since 2005 and played a role in the development of engines like the Trent 1000 and Pearl 10X.
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Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.
