Boeing 717-200 nearing certification and first deliveries

June 16th, 1999

The new Boeing 717 is meeting its certification goals on schedule, which will permit the 100-seat aircraft to receive its go-ahead for deliveries beginning in September, according to Jim Phillips, the programme's vice president.

Speaking at the Paris Air Show today, Phillips said the 717 will be the first aircraft to receive a single certification ticket from Europe's Joint Airworthiness Authorities (JAA) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The single ticket from both agencies is called "Concurrent, Cooperative Certification."

"We believe the two regulatory agencies have found this process very successful," Phillips said, "and we're proud that the 717 is the aircraft that is playing this historic role."

Certification is planned for the 717 early in September, and the first aircraft will be delivered to launch customer AirTran Airways in time for the airline to put the 717 into service in October.

Phillips said the 717 has been designed specifically for the short-haul, high-frequency regional market, which is typical of many routes in Europe and the United States and Boeing expect it to make six to ten flights a day once it is in service

The BMW Rolls-Royce BR715 is the sole powerplant for the new Boeing 717-200, and it is making its first international airshow appearance in Le Bourget. Two BR71 5 turbofans powered the 717 on its transatlantic flight from Long Beach, California, to Paris, France, passing through Goose Bay, Kevlavik and Shannon on route.

BR715 turbofans have so far accumulated more than 3,000 flight hours and 8,000 cycles, in the ongoing flight test programme at The Boeing Company's Yuma, Arizona, facility. The Boeing 717 needs less fuel than predicted because of the more efficient engines and lower than expected drag on the airframe. This pays off in an estimated saving of five percent at cruise altitude and 2.5 percent during climb.

Engine certification of the BR71 5 was achieved ahead of schedule in 1998. On August 28th last year BMW Rolls-Royce received the type certificate for the BR715 of the European JAA (Joint Aviation Authorities), followed by the US FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approval just four days later after a 35 month development programme including intensive structural, reliability, environmental and endurance testing.

Phillips also said that Boeing continues to stand behind the 717 as the best solution for the 100-seat market. "We are the only 100-seater in production, and the 717 will prove itself in revenue service in just a few months," he said.

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