Jet Ready To Enter Worldwide Service

Amidst sagging sales and internal controversy, Boeing does have a bit of positive news to celebrate this week. The Boeing 777-300ER, the newest member of the 777 commercial airplane family, has received U.S. and European certification and cleared its last hurdle toward commercial operations. The FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have formally recognized that the 777-300ER passed all testing and safety requirements during an eleven-month flight-test program. The FAA and EASA certifications grant an amended type certificate for the 777, as well as a production certificate, which authorizes Boeing to build the 777-300ER.

Three 777-300ER flight test airplanes completed nearly 1,500 flight- and 1,000 ground-test hours during the program, starting with the first flight on Feb. 24, 2003. The thorough and rigorous test program demonstrated the airplane's capabilities, often in extreme environments such as frigid Yakutsk, Russia and sweltering Alice Springs, Australia. Major test activities included aerodynamics, stability and control, flight controls, structures, and systems.

Better than forecasted performance during flight testing led Boeing to offer the airplane with higher range and payload capabilities than orginally planned. New technological features, including raked wingtips, semi-levered landing gear, and tail strike protection system, provide the capability enhancement.

"This milestone affirms the safety, reliability, and performance of the 777-300ER," said Lars Andersen, Longer Range 777 program manager. "This airplane offers more range, payload capability, and fuel efficiency than any airplane in its class."

International Lease Finance Corp. customer Air France will receive the first 777-300ER next month. Offering airlines more flexibility in serving the non-stop routes passengers demand, Boeing has so far received orders for 63 777-300ERs from eight customers.

Touted by Boeing as "The world's most technologically advanced airplane", the twin-engine 777-300ER carries 365 passengers up to 7,705 nautical miles (14,270 kilometers). Powered by General Electric's GE90-115B engine, the largest and most powerful commercial jet engine in the world, the 777-300ER can serve such routes as Paris-Los Angeles and New York-Tokyo.

FMI: www.boeing.com