SEATTLE — The Boeing Co.’s 777-300ER jet will enter a new phase of testing next week with a series of long-range flights planned over Asia, Australia and South America.
The two 777-300ER, or extended-range, jets built so far will test their "extended-range twin-operations" or ETOPS capabilities, said flight test chief engineer Joe Kranak.
The tests are designed to show the Federal Aviation Administration that the new 777 model can, in the event that one engine shuts down, travel even farther on the remaining engine than previous 777 models. The FAA currently requires 777-300s to be no farther than a 3-hour, 27-minute flight away from the nearest airport.
Boeing will be testing flight on one engine for as long as 5 hours, 30 minutes — almost two hours longer than the FAA limit.
Boeing has also been running other tests to win FAA certification of its airframe and interior of the new jet. Boeing expects to receive its certifications by the end of the first quarter of 2004.
The first delivery is scheduled for April 2004 to International Lease Finance Corp., which will lease the jet to Air France.
With a longer wing span than current 777 models and other design features, the new jet can fly as far as 8,500 miles, handling such distances as Los Angeles to Tokyo. It can also carry more cargo than the 777-300 model.
The company has orders from eight customers for 63 of the twin-aisle airplanes. The planes are priced between $203.5 million and $231.5 million, according to the Boeing Web site.
Boeing estimates a market for more than 500 of its 777-300ERs and another new 777 model, the 777-200LR. The 777-200LR, a smaller, long-range variant, is under development and scheduled for delivery in January 2006.
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