SEATTLE-Boeing’s 2024 delivery records suggest that production of its iconic 777-300ER aircraft may be complete, with only one final delivery recorded for the year.
The Air Current reported on a significant development in commercial aviation history, describing it as “the best-selling widebody of all time.”
Boeing Ends 777-300ER Production
Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope announced in December that production would resume across multiple aircraft lines after a machinists’ strike. However, the 777 program now only focuses on the 777X variant, indicating a significant shift in the company’s production strategy.
Since its debut in 2004, the 777-300ER has revolutionized air travel for nearly two decades.
The aircraft’s 7,370 nautical mile range and efficient twin-engine design revolutionized long-haul operations. Its General Electric GE90 engines have set new standards for reliability and fuel efficiency, outperforming their predecessors.
Airlines around the world embraced the aircraft’s 392-passenger capacity in a standard two-class configuration, which proved ideal for balancing operational costs and passenger comfort on intercontinental routes.
The 777-300ER became a cornerstone of global aviation, demonstrating Boeing’s technological prowess and market understanding.
737 MAX 7 and 10 Update
Boeing has requested temporary regulatory exemptions for the stall-management yaw damper system on its 737 Max 7 and Max 10 aircraft models.
The aerospace manufacturer submitted these requests on January 17, 2025, citing difficulties in meeting enhanced regulatory standards as a result of a system classification change.
The exemption requests specifically address the certification process requirements for both aircraft variants, allowing for the implementation of a planned angle-of-attack system update across all Max models.
Boeing’s application, which was made public through U.S. government channels on January 21, emphasizes the importance of these approvals in advancing the certification timelines of these delayed aircraft models.
In 2023, the 737 Max 7 received a different exemption for its stall-management yaw damper, which is responsible for stall warning, identification, and yaw damping. The previous exemption addressed lightning and radiation regulations, while the current request focuses on system functionality requirements and failure probability standards.
Boeing’s certification team believes that granting these exemptions would speed up customer deliveries of the 737-7 and 737-10 aircraft while improving overall safety features. Subject to temporary exemption approval, the manufacturer intends to implement improved angle-of-attack system safety measures across the existing Max fleet.
The aerospace company assures stakeholders that the currently operational 737 MAX aircraft are unaffected by these certification issues. Boeing backs up its safety claims by citing the yaw damper system’s proven track record of 250 million flight hours of reliable operation over more than 25 years.
According to the company, comprehensive testing and review processes for the Max 7 and Max 10 software configurations confirmed that safety and reliability standards were met.
Certification Challenge Reveals Complex Safety Requirements
Boeing’s stall-management yaw damper (SMYD) system must meet more stringent safety standards. The system’s classification has changed from Level B to Level A, indicating a better understanding of potential failure risks.
According to Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics guidelines, Level A designation applies to systems where failures could be catastrophic, representing a significant upgrade from the previous Level B classification, which only addressed hazardous failures. Boeing admits that its current SMYD system for the Max 7 and Max 10 does not meet the higher Level A requirements.
The manufacturer seeks regulatory relief until October 2028, citing the need to achieve full compliance and retrofit delivered aircraft. This certification hurdle adds to Boeing’s ongoing challenges with the Max 7 and Max 10 variants, though the full extent of a potential FAA rejection is unknown.
While all 737 Max variants use the same SMYD systems with minor differences, the Max 10 adds an Enhanced Angle of Attack (EAOA) feature. This enhancement, created in response to previous Max accidents, aims to improve error detection in angle-of-attack data for all Max models. Boeing emphasizes that the requested exemption has a direct impact on its ability to implement critical EAOA safety improvements throughout the fleet.
The SMYD certification issue emerges as Boeing works to resolve previous system complications. In June 2023, Gary Hamatani, Boeing’s 737 Max development chief project engineer, identified non-compliance issues with radiation and lightning protection standards. The FAA granted Boeing relief from these requirements until early 2027, allowing the company to address these concerns while continuing development.
Boeing intends to demonstrate SMYD compliance after obtaining certification for the Max 7 and Max 10 and completing the AOA enhancements implementation. The manufacturer warns that without the temporary exemption, the deployment of EAOA safety features will be delayed, potentially affecting critical safety improvements across the Max fleet.
