Boeing Is One Step Closer To Rolling Out Folding Wingtips

With nothing like this ever being made before, the Federal Aviation Administration was left to deal with the task of creating new regulations. In order for Boeing’s folding wingtips to receive certification from the FAA, the company will be required to meet a list of ten conditions. Items on the list include that the folding wingtips must be able to withstand heavy gusts of wind while on the ground, and have automatic warning systems that prevent pilots from taking off unless the wings are fully extended.

According to Boeing, the 77X airplane will have a total wingspan of 235 feet when fully extended, and a wingspan of 213 feet when the folding wingtips go up. Boeing has stated that the carbon-fiber folding wingtips will be even stronger than other planes' wingtips that are made of metal. The folding wingtip is something that’s been years in the making, and now Boeing hopes to begin test flights in early 2019. Once Boeing completes their test flights and meets the FAA’s list of requirements, they hope to have commercial services with the 777x plane available by the end of 2019.