Boeing 737 MAX 8 performs high altitude testing at La Paz, Bolivia
Boeing 737 MAX 8 performs high altitude testing at La Paz, Bolivia. Boeing image.

Boeing on track for 737 MAX 8 delivery as it completes high altitude tests

May 6, 2016 Comments Off on Boeing on track for 737 MAX 8 delivery as it completes high altitude tests 374 Views

US airframer Boeing’s 737 MAX programme remains on track for first delivery in the third quarter of 2017. The 737 MAX 8 recently completed high altitude flight testing in La Paz, Bolivia whose airport, is at a height of 13,300 feet.

As altitude increases the air thins, which reduces the effectiveness of the control surfaces at slow speeds as well as the performance of engines due to the lower oxygen. Keith Leverkuhn, vice president and general manager of the 737 MAX program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said the engines and other systems performed as expected in the extreme conditions.

Boeing 737 MAX 8 performs high altitude testing at La Paz, Bolivia
Boeing 737 MAX 8 in the beautiful backdrop of the Andes at La Paz, Bolivia

Three test 737 MAX airplanes have completed more than 100 flights combined. The fourth and final test airplane will make its first flight in the coming weeks and join the test fleet soon thereafter.

About Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

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