The Boeing 737 MAX 9, powered by LEAP-1B engines, successfully accomplished a two-hour, 42- minute first flight, from Renton Field in Renton, Washington, at 10:53 a.m. local time and landing at 1:34 p.m. at Seattle’s Boeing Field. The airplane performed tests on flight controls, systems and handling qualities during the mission.
Being the second aircraft model to begin certification flight testing, the 737 MAX 9 will go through complete flight testing before customer deliveries begin in 2018.
“We have every expectation that the MAX 9 program will go just as smoothly as the entire LEAP-1B / 737 MAX 8 flight test program. The engines performed exceptionally well throughout more than 2,200 flight hours,” said Gaël Méheust, president and CEO of CFM International.
CFM has been the only engine supplier for all Boeing 737 aircraft models since 1981. So far, more than 7,400 LEAP-1B engines have been ordered to power the 3,700 MAX aircraft by 86 customers worldwide.
