As the production in its Washington State plants is restarting, Boeing reportedly scheduled a test flight for the 777X prototype N779XW. The campaign, which was stopped a month ago, could resume on April 23, 2020.
Much like the recertification of the Boeing 737 MAX, the test campaign of the 777X had to be interrupted in early April 2020, as the containment measures such as social distancing had made work impossible. While some of the employees were able to continue working, the flight campaign required a physical presence that conflicted with the measures taken by the manufacturer to contain the coronavirus epidemic.
But from April 20, 2020, after the facilities were thoroughly cleaned and the workplaces were reorganized, production gradually resumed in the Puget Sound area, near Seattle. The assembly lines of the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and of the KC-46 Pegasus refueler are already working. The 747, 767, 777, and 787 programs should follow soon.
In this context, Boeing scheduled a functional check flight for the 777-9 N779XW prototype from Boeing Field on April 23, 2020, as reported by the media Paine Airport.
The flight test campaign started earlier this year with the maiden flight taking place on January 25, 2020. Boeing expects to deliver the first 777X in early 2021.
