After successive months of delays, the Boeing has resumed certification flights of the long-awaited 777-9 with Federal Aviation istration (FAA) officials on board.
According to the manufacturer, the first certification flight took place last Friday (12), receiving the Type Inspection Authorization (TIA).
Type Inspection Authorization is the first step a manufacturer needs to begin the certification process, at which time FAA technicians and pilots inspect and review technical data so that an aircraft in the experimental phase can perform certification operations.
Despite the resumption, the certification process for the new 777 variant will take several months, with optimistic projections for the second half of 2025.
The 777-9 is part of Boeing's 777X program that aims to upgrade its largest wide-body plane. The 777X program was announced in mid-2013, but ended up having its schedule postponed several times, putting Boeing's credibility in check.
Including delays in the 777X, Boeing is also facing problems in the production of the 787, as well as the 737 MAX, forcing the manufacturer to modify the production process after an in-depth FAA audit.
Finally, Boeing said that the 777-9 will be the aircraft that will have the greatest review and certification effort of any other model ever produced.
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