Boeing 777 (15 of 17)

The heat from the brakes was significant, yet the airplane matched all expectations.
One of the primary elements of the test program was insuring that the engines were capable of meeting the Federal Aviation Administration's approval for extended range twin-engine operations.
This Certification allows the airplane to fly routes which take them 1 80 minutes from an Adequate airport.
The 777 had been developed with this in mind, and was designed to land, take-off and fly for long distances on only one engine.
On May 30th, 1995, the 777 became the first airplane to earn this FAA approval before it entered service with the airlines eight days later.

The 777 made its first commercial filght on one of the very routes which was the impetus for its creation-London to Washington DC.
On June 7th, 1995, a new era began.
With Wing tips neatly folded upwards the first 777 complete with passengers slowly rolled Towards the gate -a sight which could not have been more pleasing for both Boeing and united.
united and other airlines had sold tickets to customers eager to fly on the newest commercial airliner long before the plane was ready to fly.
The tight deadlines of the project were a financial risk to all involved and some skeptics predicted failure.
The first delivery to united came two weeks before the plane earned the FAA's approval for extended twin engine operations.
There had been no room for Error or delay and remarkably the deadlines were met.