FAA Approves Boeing 777 Folding Wingtips Written 21 May 2018
In This Section
Reuters reported that on Friday the FAA approved a foldable wingtip design for The Boeing Company’s 777 jets. The design, which “will be incorporated in the world’s largest commercial planemaker’s Model 777-8 and 777-9s models, would allow the bigger wings to fit into the standard-sized airport parking space.” The wingtips will reduce the wingspan from 235 feet to 212 feet. Bloomberg News reported that the carbon-fiber wings are “the largest ever created” by Boeing, and “will be the most distinctive-feature for the hulking jets, the first twin-engine models built to haul more than 400 travelers.” The 777X will be the “only commercial jet in widespread use with such a hinged design.” FAA approval for the 777X’s full wings has been delayed, according to Boeing Program Chief Kevin Bartelson, because building structural ribs for the wings “has taken longer than expected up front.”
More Info (Reuters)
More Info (Bloomberg News)
More Info (Reuters)
More Info (Bloomberg News)