Boeing resumed flight testing of the 777-9

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Boeing has resumed testing of the 777-9 after halting testing earlier this year due to an unspecified problem with its GE Aerospace GE9X engine.

The aircraft manufacturer confirms that testing has resumed, and flight-tracking websites show that a 777-9 from Boeing’s test fleet took off on Dec. 17.

“We have resumed testing the airplane following our comprehensive safety process and appropriate mitigation measures as our suppliers and technical teams continue their work. We are supporting GE Aerospace as they continue to evaluate a recent GE9X engine issue,” Boeing told FlightGlobal.

GE Aerospace says it “continues to work closely with Boeing on all requirements necessary to support the 777X flight test program.”

Boeing would not confirm when testing resumed, but flight tracking website FlightAware shows that the first 777-9, registration N779XW, took off on December 17.

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The aircraft departed Seattle’s Boeing Field, flew east to Montana, then returned to Boeing Field, landing approximately 1h 40min later.

The aircraft made a similar flight two days later on December 19.

Prior to these flights, none of the 777-9s had flown in months, according to aircraft tracking services.

According to FlightAware, one of these aircraft last flew in August, another in July and the last in November 2021.

Late last month, Boeing and GE confirmed that they had put the 777-9 flight test program on hold due to what General Electric called a “technical issue that occurred during post-certification engineering testing of the GE9X engine.”

The engine manufacturer added that the problem affected its “oldest” GE9X, an engine that had accumulated more than 1,700 operating hours and more than 2,600 flight cycles.

The 777-9 program continues to be delayed due to intensified certification checks by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

Boeing expects to deliver the first of this type in 2025. The company says it continues to “transparently communicate progress to our customers and regulators.”

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