One Test Article Flying, Three Others In The Works

Boeing vice president of marketing for commercial airplanes in Seattle Randy Tinseth says that the Boeing 737 MAX is making progress in its flight test regimen, and three others are nearing completing at the factory in Renton.

Writing in his blog on the Boeing website, Tinseth says that test airplane 1A001 made two flights on January 30, which is unusual for a flight test airplane. The MAX was busy testing on five of the first six days per plan and has continued this momentum.

Meanwhile, Tinseth said, the team continues to execute on the flight testing plan and prepare for the other three airplanes to enter the flight test fleet soon.

1A002, the second MAX, has been moved from the assembly line to the ramp at Renton. Tinseth says the airplane is painted in the “light” livery for the 737 MAX which features the same tail design and signature brand colors, but a more simplified, leaner design to save time in the paint process and a more rapid transition to test.

Southwest Airlines is scheduled to get the first 737 MAX sometime in 2017.

(Images provide by Boeing)

FMI: www.boeingblogs.com/randy/archives/2016/02/keeping_up_with_the_max.html