{"id":91141,"date":"2025-04-20T07:50:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-20T02:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=91141"},"modified":"2025-04-20T05:01:19","modified_gmt":"2025-04-19T23:31:19","slug":"boeing-to-use-all-4-test-777x-for-certification-flights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/20\/boeing-to-use-all-4-test-777x-for-certification-flights\/","title":{"rendered":"Boeing to Use All 4 Test 777X for Certification Flights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON-<\/strong> Boeing reactivated its fourth 777X<\/a> test aircraft on April 13, 2025, at Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE). The airframe, known as WH0004 <\/strong>and registered as N779XZ<\/strong>, had its transponder activated with the callsign ‘BOE777<\/strong>‘ from approximately 09:49 to 11:32 local time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This development marks a significant step for the aircraft, which had remained grounded at Seattle Paine Field since November 2021, when it last operated a flight from King County International Airport (BFI).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Boeing
Photo: Boeing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Boeing’s 777X Test Plane<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first 3 777-9<\/a> test airframes have been actively flying since January 2025 as Boeing resumed its certification campaign. Simple Flying<\/em><\/a> reported that the aircraft, designated as WH001 (N779XW), WH002 (N779XX), and WH003 (N779XY)<\/strong>, have been conducting regular test flights after addressing technical issues that had previously interrupted the certification process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boeing’s 777X program faced delays when problems with the aircraft’s thrust links\u2014<\/strong>structural components connecting the engine to the airframe\u2014essentially grounded the certification efforts. WH003 was the first aircraft to experience cracked engine thrust links, which suspended flights until January 2025. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The certification program had previously advanced to the Type Inspection Authorisation<\/strong> stage before these issues arose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Boeing
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Flight records show that WH001 operated its first flight on January 23, 2025, travelling from Paine Field (PAE) to Moses Lake Grant County International Airport (MWH)<\/strong>. WH002 resumed flying on February 5, making its first journey since August 2024. WH003 returned to the skies on January 16, departing and landing at Boeing Field (BFI). All three aircraft conducted their most recent test flights on April 11, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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#UPDATE<\/a>: WH001 (N779XW) is returning home (BFI) after over a month of FAA certification testing in Clinton Sherman, OK.

Track flight: https:\/\/t.co\/DNW1Dx1Y4P<\/a>#777X<\/a> #GE9X<\/a> #Boeing777x<\/a> #777X<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/wsnMVz92TU<\/a><\/p>— Boeing 777X (@b777xlovers) April 18, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>