Boeing has commenced route proving trails of its new 737 MAX single aisle passenger jet ahead of maiden delivery next year.
Boeing has commenced route proving trails of its new 737 MAX single aisle passenger jet ahead of maiden delivery next year.
Called SROV (Service Ready Operational Validation), the trial will be carried out with launch customer Southwest Airlines, using the fourth prototype over a six day period.
SROV will take MAX to several of the airports in Southwest’s system to simulate the kind of real life things the airplane will encounter on any given day of revenue service.
Southwest and Boeing pilots will fly routes from Love Field in Dallas to cities including Albuquerque, Denver, Chicago, Austin and Phoenix.
Southwest’s maintenance and ground crews at each airport will get hands-on experience, doing everything from towing and fueling the airplane, to conducting fit checks of ground support equipment and performing maintenance.
The fourth generation 737 MAX succeeds the 737 NG, featuring an advanced CFM LEAP-1B engines and aerodynamic modification.
The 737 MAX is designed to be 40 percent quieter than today's Next-Generation 737 and 20 per cent fuel efficient as well. Boeing claims the MAX will be 8 percent less costly to operate, compared to its competitors like Airbus A320neo flamily.
The MAX flight test campaign began in January 2016, with maiden flight of first prototype. Entry into service is scheduled for third quarter of 2017.
