Here is a video of the Boeing 777X folding wingtip being deployed.
At the gate, the wingtip is in the up position so the 777X can fit into standard airport parking areas.
However, once the 777X is pushed back for a flight and while its engines are started the wingtips are lowered ready for take-off.
SEE our video of the golden age of travel.
The wingspan of the 777X is 235 feet, and when the wingtips are folded, it reduces the span to 212 feet.
Spotted – our #777X extending its wingtips in the sunshine. Our teams in Seattle will continue ground tests as we develop our newest twin-aisle jet. This is one of many tests before the 777X takes to the skies later this year pic.twitter.com/KJ5BabExDY
— Boeing UK & Ireland (@BoeingUK) June 24, 2019
Folding wingtip and folding wings are nothing new and have been around almost since aviation began.
In fact, it was Short Brothers that developed and patented the folding wing mechanisms for biplane ship-borne aircraft with the first patent granted in 1913.
Most commonly used on aircraft carriers, no company has as much experience as Boeing and its legacy companies, such as McDonnell and Douglas with aircraft with folding wings or folding wing tips.
