SEATTLE, Feb. 02, 2006 -- The world's longest-range commercial jetliner, the Boeing [NYSE: BA] 777-200LR Worldliner, now is certified by U.S. and European authorities to enter into passenger service with airlines around the world. The 777-200LR (Longer Range) is the fifth and newest member of the market-leading 777 airplane family.
Certification approval by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) formally recognizes that the 777-200LR has successfully completed all testing and safety requirements during its six-month flight-test program.
"The 777-200LR will revolutionize the way people travel with the ability to connect just about any two cities around the world," said Lars Andersen, vice president and program manager, 777 Program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The 777-200LR is more fuel efficient, has more range, and carries more passengers and cargo than the competition."
The FAA and EASA certifications grant an amended type certificate for the 777 and a production certificate authorizing Boeing to build the 777-200LR and deliver it to airlines for passenger service. The first 777-200LR will be delivered to Pakistan International Airlines later this month.
"The 777-200LR performed very well throughout its comprehensive flight test program for certification," said Bob Buchholz, chief engineer, 777 Safety, Certification and Performance. "In addition, the certification work will benefit us as we continue to develop the 777 Freighter."
Two 777-200LR flight test airplanes completed 886 flight hours on 328 flights, and 318 ground test hours. On both test airplanes, 27.8 miles of wiring were installed for the instrumentation used to record flight test data. More than 73 terabits (73 followed by 12 zeros) of data were recorded and analyzed.
To develop the 777-200LR, Boeing strengthened the airplane's primary structure to accommodate an increased gross weight for takeoff and a higher engine thrust. Also, provisions were added to allow the 777-200LR to carry up to three additional fuel tanks. This work enables the airplane to carry more fuel, which allows it to fly farther and to serve as the platform for the 777 Freighter.
The 777-200LR uses many of the same advances developed with the 777-300ER (Extended Range), such as raked wingtips and other drag reducing improvements, and tail-strike protection. The 777-200LR is powered exclusively by the GE90-110B1L, a re-rated version of the powerful GE90-115BL used on the 777-300ER.
The 777-200LR is capable of connecting virtually any two cities in the world nonstop. In service it can carry 301 passengers up to 9,420 nautical miles (17,445 kilometers).
In addition to Pakistan International Airlines, EVA Air, Emirates, Air Canada, and Air India have ordered the 777-200LR. To date, 44 airlines around the world have ordered 827 777s.
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