Thousands of Boeing employees in Renton, Washington, USA, saw the roll-out on December 8 of the first 737 MAX 8, a continuation in the long-standing series of popular 737 single-aisle models. The aircraft will now undergo pre-flight preparation in the factory before departing for Renton Field to continue flight test readiness.
It is reported that the second and third test aircraft are in final assembly. A fourth (and final) is still in sub-assembly. The 737 MAX is slated to have its first delivery to launch customer Southwest Airlines in 3Q 2017.
The new single-aisle airplane will deliver 20% lower fuel use than the first Next-Generation 737s and the lowest operating costs in its class.
The 737 MAX incorporates new technologies such as the CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Boeing-designed Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements.
For more on the 737 MAX test program, see our exclusive interview with Steve Brown, lead instrumentation engineer, Boeing Test & Evaluation, here.
December 10, 2015
