Time for FAA to up its CERTIFICATION game?
The two stories below, one proudly recognizing that EMBRAER has successfully applied for and received more than 20 AIRCRAFT TYPE CERTIFICATES over 24 YEARS, while BOEING is beginning its TEST FLIGHTS for its B-777-9 after its initial TC application for the Dash 9 version was submitted on December 6, 2013, for an amendment to Type Certificate No. T00001SE to include the new 777-9 airplane. Boeing applied for an amendment to Type Certificate No. T00001SE for the Boeing 777-9 series airplane on August 19, 20221
Watch: 777-9 begins certification flight testing
The simple math is not all of the story—Boeing’s recent aircraft disasters have reduced (obliterated?) the trust with their regulator which now checks to see that every “i” is dotted and every step listed on the company’s production instructions has been accomplished, properly inspected, accurately documented and actually done.
Add to that Boeing’s addition of several “novel or unusual design feature(s) when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes”. For example, the FAA had to carefully review these changes, determine their function and engineering stresses and devise appropriate tests to assure airworthiness. That added step pursuant to updated FAA policy, clearly delayed the aircraft’s certification. Here, for example, are two such Special Conditions:
Special Conditions: Boeing Commercial Airplanes Model 777-9 Airplanes; Structure-Mounted Airbags
While there may be some argument about the inception of this TC process, Boeing had expected to be able to produce a B-777-9 for a long list[1] of customers by 2021[2]. Some time was lost due to the Pandemic’s impact on both staffs.
Clearly, the Boeing/FAA relationship is working poorly. No doubt about it, Boeing’s recent record merits skepticism by the safety agency. The FAA Administrator has admitted that “…we are going to need more boots on the ground. I think we are going to need more inspectors…We DON’T HAVE THAT MANY INSPECTORS[3] ON THE AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION SIDE OF THE HOUSE.”
If the FAA is minimizing/eliminating its reliance on ODA, if “BOOTS ON THE GROUND” is the new oversight mode. Additionally, Congress has authorized additional funding for hires, studies for staffing standards and new procedures
The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. [4] The National Air Transportation Association remarked that the 2024 Reauthorization “should reduce the aircraft certification backlog.”
The comparison between the Embraer certification successes and Boeing’s dreary recent performance suggests that hiring MUST BE a PRIORITY not because Boeing management deserves any breaks, RATHER THAT THE COMPANY’S EMPLOYEES AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE SUFFERING FROM DELATED DELIVERIES AND LOST FUTURE ORDERS.
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Excerpted
Looking back over the past 24 years, it’s incredible that Brazil Embraer has certified more than 20 aircraft. Founded by the Brazilian government in 1969, Embraer has grown to become the world’s third-largest civil aircraft manufacturer after Boeing and Airbus.
Embraer ERJ 145
The Embraer ERJ-145 received its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), on DECEMBER 10, 1996, and entered service with Continental Express in 1997.
Embraer Legacy 600
A business jet derivative of the ERJ-135, the Legacy, was LAUNCHED AT THE 2000 Farnborough Airshow as the “Legacy 2000.” Able to accommodate as many as 23 passengers in three plane sections.
Embraer E170
The E-170 received its Brazilian, United States, and European type CERTIFICATION IN FEBRUARY 2004
Embraer E190, E195, and E175
At the same time as Embraer was working on the E170, it was simultaneously building more significant variants that would become the E190 and E195.
Embraer Phenom 100
The Embraer Phenom 100 received its TYPE CERTIFICATE IN DECEMBER 2008 and was delivered to a private customer in South America the same month.
Embraer Lineage 1000
The aircraft received its Brazilian certification and European EASA IN DECEMBER 2008 before being certified by the American FAA a month later.
Embraer Phenom 300
The prototype Embraer Phenom 300 made its maiden flight on April 29, 2008, and RECEIVED ITS TYPE CERTIFICATION ON DECEMBER 3, 2009.
Embraer Legacy 650
. The aircraft received its AMERICAN FAA-TYPE CERTIFICATION IN FEBRUARY 2011.
Embraer AEW&C India
the aircraft made its maiden flight on December 6, 2011, and entered service with the Indian Air Force on FEBRUARY 14, 2017.
Embraer Legacy 500 and 400
During the summer of 2007, Embraer unveiled two new business jet concepts based on the Phenom 300. The first Legacy 500 prototype rolled off the assembly line on December 23, 2011, making its MAIDEN FLIGHT ON NOVEMBER 27, 2012. The Legacy 450 made its maiden flight on December 28, 2013, and WAS CERTIFIED BY THE FAA ON AUGUST 31, 2015.
Embraer C-390
The aircraft made its maiden flight on February 3, 2015. The Brazilian Air Force took delivery of its first C-390 on SEPTEMBER 4, 2019.
Embraer Impanema 203
The Embraer Impanema 203 is a Brazilian agricultural aircraft used primarily for crop dusting. The aircraft received its TYPE CERTIFICATION IN 2015.
Embraer E-190E2 and E195E2
The E190-E2 and E195-E2 were CERTIFIED by three key civil aviation authorities, THE ANAC, FAA, AND EASA, IN 2018 AND 2019, RESPECTIVELY.
Embraer Praetor 500/600
The Praetor 600 was certified by the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil in April 2019, with the Praetor 500 receiving its BRAZILIAN-TYPE CERTIFICATE IN AUGUST 2019.
EMB-203 Ipanema Electric
The EMB-203 Impanema electric-powered is an electric-powered EMB-203 Impanema crop duster. THE AIRCRAFT IS STILL UNDERGOING TESTS.
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Boeing starts
Good going Boeing! Flight tests of 777-9 begins with US regulators’ nod
The certification test validates safety, reliability, and performance, showcasing Boeing’s commitment to excellence.
Updated: Jul 14, 2024 07:25 AM EST
3 hours ago
After a long wait, Boeing has finally completed its first certification test flight of the 777-9. They completed the process on July 12, after receiving the long-delayed jet’s “type inspection authorization” (TIA) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
This means that 777-9 will probably meet certification requirements and approve the start of flight testing for certification credits.
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Boeing received the TIA on July 13 and says the 777-9 will enter services next year.
Validating safety and reliability: Boeing’s 777-9 certification journey
Boeing revealed that the certification flight testing will validate the safety of the airplane, its reliability and its performance.
This marks a big step in the 777-9 program of Boeing and kind of helps put the company in a positive light, unlike before when it gained a lot of negative publicity over the past engine troubles and whistleblower allegations.
Boeing says that it appreciates the regulator’s (FAA’s) oversight and also thanks its customers who chose the 777-9 for its efficiency, environmental performance, and passenger comfort.
Airlines like Lufthansa and Emirates Airline have placed orders for this aircraft type, and they can operate these planes after they pass the certification process.
It was first in JANUARY 2021 when Boeing pushed the 777-9’s expected CERTIFICATION DATE TO 2023. It had mentioned several design changes.
The company also mentioned that it needed to provide the FAA with more information – mostly regarding Boeing’s major software architecture. The jet’s first delivery had been delayed until 2025.
Even though Boeing had started its flight testing for certification credit, its flight test 777-9s have already completed around 1,200 flights, logging around 3,500 flight hours in the air. The company says that this was a part of its own flight-test regime.
Revisiting Boeing’s 777-9 program: Milestones and challenges
The jet launched its twin GE Aerospace GE9X-powered 777-9 and the broader 777X programme in NOVEMBER 2013 at the Dubai Air Show. There have been many times when Boeing delayed its programs owing to increased security by the FAA.
“The 777-9 flight-test fleet will undergo the most thorough commercial flight-test effort Boeing has ever undertaken. We have also spent significant time working through the required certification deliverables in preparation for TIA,” Boeing said.
As far as the 777-9 is concerned, it will have 7,285 nm of range and will have a capacity of carrying around 426 passengers in a two-class layout.
It will be slightly longer than the 777-300ER, with the 777-9 being 76.7m long. Its initial plans were to make the 777-9 smaller, but it had to be changed after it was mentioned that the next 777X would be the 777-8 Freighter. It’s a jet with 4,410 nm of range and 112t of revenue payload.
As of now, Boeing holds offers for around 481 orders of the new widebody jets. The 777-9 flight-test fleet of Boeing includes four aircraft. “WH001” has been assigned avionics, brakes, flutter, icing, stability and low-speed aerodynamics testing, and “WH002” is handling ground-effect aerodynamics, auto-land, and stability and control tests.”
Currently, the company is also using its test aircraft “WH003” which could help with handling, avionics, propulsion, and also the auxiliary power unit. On the other hand the “WH004” is likely to work on extended operations, environmental-control systems, reliability and noise evaluations.
