Boeing is hoping that last minute flight demonstrations of "small system changes" on a 737-800 test aircraft will clear the way for European certification of the -700, after a four to five month delay. Boeing hopes to have certification in time to start deliveries to European launch customer Maersk Air in the middle of this month.
Flight tests for the JAA were taking place as Flight International closed for press, and are understood to be concentrating on late adjustments to the speed trim devices. Other late changes, now approved by the JAA following its large aircraft subcommittee meeting on 5 February, were related to "mostly administrative matters".
Klaus Koplin, Secretary General of the JAA, says that approval had been expected in early February, but was delayed by "last minute technical and procedural issues." Koplin adds that discussions are taking place in Seattle between the JAA and Boeing staff. Koplin is not clear when approval can be anticipated.
Boeing had planned to obtain European Joint Aviation Authorities and US Federal Aviation Administration certification for the -700, the first of the Next Generation family, in September 1997. Maersk Air was expected to introduce it by year-end.
The programmes were delayed by late structural modifications, parts shortages and, with the JAA, the re-design of the overwing emergency exit doors to enable the -700 and -800 to be approved to carry their maximum loads of 149 and 189 passengers respectively.
Source: Flight International
