Boeing has flipped on the power to its first 777X test aircraft, a move that allows the company to progress with a broad array of systems tests prior to next year's planned first flight.
The company performed the power-up in early December at its site in Everett, where two flight-test 777Xs are in final assembly.
The power-up procedure occurs when airframes move to the final position in the assembly process and enables "hundreds of functional tests" to be performed, says Boeing.
The process does not include starting the 777X's GE Aviation GE9X engines.
Boeing's two 777X flight test aircraft – including the first aircraft expected to fly, at top – at the company's Everett assembly site.
Boeing
Boeing switched on the electricity several weeks after it performed "final body join" on its first 777X test aircraft. That step involves mating the 777X's three main fuselage sections – nose, mid region and aft section.
Boeing joined the first 777X flight-test aircraft's three fuselage sections in November.
Boeing
The test aircraft is scheduled for first flight in 2019, and Boeing expects to begin 777-9 deliveries in 2020. Boeing has orders for 316 777X, according to Flight Fleets Analyzer.
The 777-9 will be able to carry 400-425 passengers and will have a range of 7,600nm (14,075km), Boeing says. The 777-8, which will enter service after the 777-9, will be capable of carrying 350-375 passengers and will have an 8,700nm (16,110km) range, according to the company.
Chicago-based Boeing has been providing updates on the 777X production progress via social media posts in recent months. It will broadcast a live video tour of the powered-up 777X airframe via Facebook on 6 December.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
