Boeing

Europe's Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA), which comprise the aviation regulatory authorities of 27 countries, today recommended type validation of the Boeing Next-Generation 737-700. Actual type certificates will be awarded by the individual countries.

The validation recommendation formally recognizes that the 737-700 has passed the stringent design and testing requirements mandated by the JAA and is ready to enter passenger service with airlines throughout Europe. The 737-700 was awarded type certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Nov. 7, 1997, clearing the airplane for passenger service within the United States.

"This is a proud day for all of the employees who've worked so hard over the past few years on the Next-Generation 737-700 program," said Jack Gucker, vice president -- 737/757 Derivatives. "Together with the JAA and FAA, we have put the 737-700 through one of the most comprehensive and rigorous flight-testing and certification processes in history. This certification is a significant validation of the airplane's safety, reliability, performance and readiness to enter passenger service. It allows us to proceed with our first deliveries to European airlines -- the first two of which are to Maersk and Germania."

More than 20,000 engineering laboratory and airplane flight tests were completed before certification was awarded. The 128-to-149-seat 737-700 began its nine-month flight-test program Feb. 9, 1997. The total certification flight-testing effort involved four 737-700 airplanes, which completed nearly 1,600 flights; 2,220 hours of ground testing and 2,000 hours of flight testing.

The 737-700 program was launched in November 1993 when Southwest Airlines ordered 63 of the airplanes. The first 737-700 was delivered to Southwest in December 1997.

In addition to the 737-700, the Next-Generation 737 airplane family also includes the 160-to-189-passenger 737-800; the 110-to-132-passenger 737-600; and the recently launched 177-to-189-passenger 737-900.

Each of these airplanes will participate in separate flight-testing and certification programs. When completed, the total Next-Generation 737 flight-test program will have comprised 12 airplanes, including the four 737-700s, three 737-800s, three 737-600s and two 737-900s. When completed, the flight-test program will have totaled more than 3,500 in-flight test hours.

Currently, flight-testing on the 737-800 is under way, with certification expected during the first quarter of 1998 and delivery to launch customer Hapag-Lloyd of Germany to follow shortly thereafter.

The 737-600 made it's first flight in January. The airplane's certification and delivery to launch customer Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) are scheduled for mid-1998.

The flight-testing and certification schedule for the 737-900 program is being finalized. Alaska Airlines is scheduled to take delivery of the first 737-900 in 2001.

In addition to commercial airplanes, Boeing also offers a business jet derived from the 737-700. With auxiliary fuel tanks, the business jet can fly more than 6,000 nautical miles. The business jet is sold and marketed through Boeing Business Jets, a joint venture formed in 1996 between The Boeing Company and General Electric Co. The first business jet is scheduled to roll out in mid-1998, followed by certification later in the year.