Boeing has released new photos of the 777X first flight.
The 777X – N779XW – first flew on January 25, for 3.51 minutes.
Since that first flight it has flown as follows;
January 29: 4.43 minutes
January 31: 5.45 minutes
February 3: 3.40 minutes
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A second 777X – N778XX – has new upgraded engines installed and the first flight is expected soon.
The third and fourth test aircraft are: N7779XX and N7779XZ.
The flight test program is expected to conclude early next year with deliveries to airlines in the first quarter.
In command of the first flight were Boeing chief test pilots Capt. Van Chaney and Capt. Craig Bomben.
Captain Van Chaney commented; “The 777X flew beautifully, and today’s testing was very productive. Thank you to all the teams who made today possible. I can’t wait to go fly your airplane again.”
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New Boeing Commercial Airplanes President Stan Deal said. “Our Boeing team has taken the most successful twin-aisle jet of all time and made it even more efficient, more capable and more comfortable for all. Today’s safe first flight of the 777X is a tribute to the years of hard work and dedication from our teammates, our suppliers and our community partners in Washington state and across the globe.”
The 777-9X seats more than 400 passengers, depending on an airline’s configuration choices. With a range of more than 8,200 nautical miles (15,185 km), the aircraft will have the lowest operating cost per seat of any commercial aircraft says, Boeing.
The second member of the family, the 777-8X, will be the most flexible jet in the world claims Boeing. The aircraft will seat 350 passengers and offer a range capability of more than 9,300 nautical miles (17,220 km).
The driving force behind the aircraft is Emirates President Tim Clark and calls the 777X an “absolute peach.”
“There will not be a city on the planet — aside from the mid-Pacific — we can’t reach,” Sir Tim said. “This (777X) will be poetry in motion . . . it will have enormous versatility.”
Key to the enthusiasm is the aircraft’s incredible economics, being 20 per cent more efficient per seat than the 777-300ER.
The 777X combines the best features of the current 777, with a longer fuselage, new engine and the composite wing design from the Boeing 787.
It also features 20 per cent larger windows, lower pressurization altitude to reduce jet lag and a wider cabin.
