What did it mean when the 777X reached firm configuration?

Captain Alexis Fecteau recalls that a little over five years ago, the 777X family of Boeing reached a significant milestone – firm configuration of the 777-9. It marked a new era for the Boeing 777X team, airline customers, and key suppliers as they finally maximized the configuration of the new Boeing commercial aircraft.

Image source: en.wikipedia.org

Image source: seekingalpha.com
For people new to the aviation industry, attaining firm configuration translates to the “completion of configuration trade studies to finalize the airplane’s capability and basic design,” a key requirement for clearance for production. Important phases of the project included processes such as wind tunnel testing and aerodynamic performance and structural load evaluation. Reaching firm configuration also means the next stage of the development, which involves the design and assembly of parts and systems of the 777X, can begin.

In 2017, two years after reaching firm configuration, production finally began on the 777X.

Today, the 777X is a source of pride and joy for Captain Alexis Fecteau and the rest of Boeing. Not only are the 777X jets the largest twin-engine commercial aircraft in the world, but they are also the most fuel-efficient. They operate with 10% lower costs and 12% less fuel consumption. Their cabins have also earned critical praise from customers and industry experts as well.

Professional pilot and engineer Captain Alexis Fecteau is the Director of Marketing for Boeing Business Jets. Visit this blog for more Boeing-related articles.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The 777X wind tunnel tests Boeing’s commitment to technological advancement

Image
Captain Alexis Fecteau, the Director of Marketing for Boeing Business Jets, a division of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, has made it a point to share with the rest of the world the many milestones of Boeing in the aviation industry. Through his series of blogs, he explores a number of topics that range from Boeing Business Jets to the company’s history. Image source: privatefly.com Image source: privatefly.com For today, Captain Alexis Fecteau looks back on one of the most impressive examples of Boeing’s commitment to technological advancement. This comes in the form of the wind tunnel testing for the highly-praised 777X model. For those unfamiliar with wind tunnel testing, the process is done to ensure that the plane will remain steady in the sky, where the winds are at their most brutal. Boeing’s best engineers and mathematicians created a new software program that essentially streamlines low-speed wind tunnel testing. Not only did this new software ensure the 777
Read more

A big Boeing tribute to the queen, 747

Image
If one takes a look back at the aviation industry, particularly at commercial airplanes that have made their mark in history, it is easy to see why the Boeing 747 or the Jumbo Jet as it is fondly called, is one of the most beloved aircraft. Over the years, the Jumbo Jet has also been known as the Queen of the Skies, and deservedly so. Image source: theconversation.com Image source: CNET.com For this blog and as a tribute to the 747, Captain Alexis Fecteau shares some interesting facts about the Jumbo Jet. The 20-hour flight : Back in 1989, the Boeing 747-400 completed a 20-hour flight from London to Sydney. This flight had been long thought of, with discussions of it lingering until today, more than 30 years later. The original design : The Jumbo Jet’s lead designer Joe Sutter had teamed up with Juan Trippe to create a plane with two decks. It was supposed to be the 747. However, the lower ceiling height of the deck allowed for less cargo, and emergency e
Read more

A decade of flight: The Dreamliner

Image
It’s been over 10 years since the 787-8 Dreamliner became the first jet of its kind to take to the skies. Its first flight marked a new age in aviation. Today, after more than a decade, Boeing employees including Captain Alexis Fecteau are all still as proud of the commercial jet as they were during its maiden flight. Image source: geek.com Image source: theverge.com Everything about the Dreamliner is considered to be groundbreaking, from its design and materials right down to the technology being used in-flight. It is the first airplane in history to have half of its primary structure made of composite materials, making it extremely fuel-efficient. And because the Dreamliner consumes so much less fuel than other airplanes in its category, it boasts of a significantly lower carbon emission level. The Dreamliner is also a favorite among passengers. It has cleaner in-flight air that is also a bit less dry, making it quite comfortable for anyone inside. It likewise ha
Read more