New airliner comes to Moses Lake for certification testing

MOSES LAKE — Boeing’s newest commercial airliner, the 737-MAX, arrived at the Port of Moses Lake last week for testing and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification.

Although manufacturing for the airliner isn’t based in Moses Lake, Boeing has been using the Grant County International Airport for a series of tests that are required for FAA certification, explained Richard Mueller, the port’s director of facilities and operations. Boeing touts the 737-MAX’s efficiency, reliability, passenger appeal and the MAX’s fuel efficiency, which Boeing states reduces carbon emissions.

In terms of efficiency, the MAX is able to deliver lower operating costs than its main competition and the MAX’s Advanced Technology winglet increases fuel efficiency by 1.8 percent.

“That’s a big deal. They (Boeing) have gotten to a point where even a half of a percent makes a big deal. So they will change things, like where the body of the MAX meets the wing, just to make it that much smoother just so there is no interference right there at that point. Just because it makes that much of a difference,” Mueller explained.

When it comes to reliability, the 737-MAX builds on the 99.7 schedule reliability record of Boeing’s Next Generation 737 series and aids airlines in the keeping of day-to-day flight and maintenance operations, according to Boeing. In addition, Boeing states their new “Boeing Sky Interior” elevates the experience of their passengers with the MAX’s interior design that features larger windows, variable color illumination, larger bins for luggage and easier access to the bins themselves.

Mueller noted with the MAX’s improved aerodynamics, lower weight and new engine technology, the airplane can generate savings in terms of fuel.

“They changed some stuff aerodynamically on it and the engines are most of it. There is like a 14 percent savings on fuel and that is over their Next Generation 737’s. So that is huge,” Mueller remarked. “The MAX is built on decades of success.”

The MAX already has more than 3,000 orders and will continue to go through FAA certification, with delivery of the plane expected to come sometime within the next two years.