Boeing announced that the Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency have granted initial qualification certificates for its 777‑9 flight‑training simulators, a regulatory milestone that unlocks the company’s ability to begin pilot training for the 777‑9 aircraft.
The qualification is a key step in the long‑delayed 777X program. The 777‑9, the first member of the 777X family, first flew in January 2020 and is now expected to enter service in 2027 after a series of certification and engine‑related delays. By securing approval for the training devices, Boeing moves closer to delivering the aircraft and to meeting the training needs of its airline customers.
The qualified devices include a full‑flight simulator and a flight training device developed in partnership with CAE. These devices will be used by regulators to validate and approve training programs before airlines begin pilot training, ensuring that pilots are fully prepared for the 777‑9’s advanced systems, such as folding wingtips and a flight deck that shares commonality with the 777 and 787.
Capt. Gary Mandy, Boeing’s 777X chief technical pilot, said the approvals “are an important step as we prepare for the start of flight training” and that pilots will benefit from an immersive training experience that will help ensure operational readiness. Chris Broom, vice president of Commercial Training Solutions, added that the qualification “underscores our commitment to delivering high‑quality training solutions that meet the needs of global airline customers and regulators.” Alexandre Prevost, president of CAE’s civil aviation division, noted that the achievement “is the result of a multi‑year effort between CAE and Boeing’s leading experts.”
The 777X program’s history of delays—stemming from certification challenges, GE9X engine issues, and heightened regulatory scrutiny after the 737 MAX incidents—has kept Boeing’s revenue projections for the 777‑9 in flux. This regulatory approval is a positive development that signals progress in overcoming those headwinds and positions Boeing to accelerate the training and delivery timeline for the 777‑9, potentially boosting future revenue streams from the aircraft’s expected high demand among major carriers such as Emirates.
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