Boeing Charts New Course for 777-9 Type Inspection Authorization
Boeing has taken a significant step towards securing Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) for its long-awaited 777-9 aircraft, signaling progress in the long-delayed certification process. German supplier Liebherr’s large Boeing 777X folding wingtip display at the Farnborough International Airshow in July showcased the company’s determination to push the 777-9 through the final stages of development, with every engineering and technical resource being focused in Seattle.
After years of delays, Boeing began the first phase of TIA testing on July 12, 2023, marking an important milestone in the journey to certify the aircraft. The TIA process, required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for certification, will determine whether Boeing’s timeline to deliver the 777-9 by late 2025 holds firm. Originally scheduled for delivery in 2020, Boeing is now eyeing the fourth quarter of 2025 for the first customer handovers.
“We will continue to follow the FAA’s lead throughout the certification process, and we still expect to deliver the first 777-9 aircraft in 2025,” said Brian West, Boeing’s Chief Financial Officer, during a July 31 earnings call.
The production phase has advanced, with production-standard engines being sent to Everett, Washington. Yet, much of the 777-9 fleet built so far has ballast weights hanging from their wings, a sign of ongoing testing. The TIA’s progress and efficiency will be crucial in determining whether Boeing meets its revised timeline.
Boeing’s leadership has expressed a commitment to a smooth TIA process, applying lessons from earlier programs such as the original 777 and 787 to ensure there are no last-minute surprises. Mike Sinnett, Vice President and General Manager of Product Development at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, emphasized the importance of thorough preparation. “We’ll take the time with the regulator to ensure we have our homework done for the next phases,” he said.
TIA testing under the FAA is customized for each project, with tests completed by Boeing being repeated by FAA specialists or conducted under their supervision. This collaborative process helps ensure aircraft readiness for final FAA scrutiny. The scrutiny is higher than in past programs, but Sinnett sees this as an advantage. “This level of scrutiny helps us be better prepared, so we don’t face unexpected challenges later,” he said.
The original TIA application for the 777-9 was rejected by the FAA in 2021 due to concerns that the aircraft was not sufficiently mature. Since then, Boeing has addressed these issues, including meeting new requirements to validate pilot-related human factors assumptions and ensuring compliance with modern flight control and computing system standards.
Despite challenges along the way, Boeing successfully launched the TIA testing phase on July 12 with a test flight of WH003, one of its four test aircraft. Other test aircraft in the fleet have also been involved in a variety of trials, focusing on stability, control, and aerodynamic loads. These tests are a critical part of the journey towards certification, with more than 3,500 flight hours accumulated across the four test aircraft since the 777-9’s first flight in January 2020.
Boeing is also using its experience with the 777-9 to inform the development and certification of future variants, such as the 777-8F freighter. Lessons learned from the current TIA process will be applied to streamline future projects, ensuring they benefit from the rigorous preparation currently underway.
Another major challenge Boeing faces is compliance with the FAA’s Part 25.1302 regulation, which requires manufacturers to meet detailed flight deck human factors standards. This complex regulation aims to enhance pilot performance by improving the design of flight deck systems. Boeing’s validation process has involved more than 200 line pilots who have helped the company test and refine various systems and assumptions.
Incorporating feedback from line pilots has been essential in validating Boeing’s safety assessment assumptions and ensuring the human factors elements of the 777-9’s design are robust. Boeing is using these insights to make continuous improvements to the aircraft, enhancing its safety and performance.
Boeing’s ultimate goal for the 777X family is to offer a more efficient replacement for large widebody aircraft while retaining the familiar handling characteristics that pilots and airlines have come to love in the original 777. With the addition of modern technologies, including an updated flight deck, Boeing hopes the 777-9 will deliver both operational efficiency and a seamless flying experience for pilots and passengers alike.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aviationweek.com