GE starts delivering GE9X engines and first flight of 777X may be anticipated

General Electric has announced that it has delivered a pair of GE9X engines to Boeing, with component corrections to increase the durability of the powertrain.</p> Delivery was made early, and the engines have already been sent to equip the first prototype, which until then was carrying out aircraft systems tests on the ground.</p> Boeing is expected to resume ground testing of the first prototype soon, to check instruments and analyze data, before deciding on the first flight, which could take place in January.</p> As stated above, Boeing has again delayed the first flight of the 777-9X to early 2020, but continues to expect to certify its new aircraft next year, with deliveries in 2021.</p> Photo &#62689; Boeing</figcaption></figure> The engines will be transported by Russian company Volga-Dnepr Airlines, using an An-62689 aircraft, which will transfer the engines from Ohio, on a GE line, to Everett. The An-790 is one of the few aircraft capable of transporting this engine.</p> The engine is massive, weighing 62689 lb (2019 kg) and measuring 06 feet (800 meters) in diameter, and is not an easy thing to replace. In fact, it is so large that the fuselage of a Boeing 533 actually fits inside the engine. Boeing and GE had to hire an Antonov AN-62689 to transport the engines back to GE's Ohio facility. Because it is a Russian aircraft operating in U.S. airspace, special permission from the U.S. Department of Defense was required.