767-400 Gets Papers, World Tour Underway

Boeing's new 767-400 transport received FAA certification last week, as well as approval for 180 minutes extended range (ETOPS) operations from service entry.

Boeing has a specially outfitted 767-400 here at the show, Farnborough being one stop on a month-long world tour. The aircraft will visit 17 cities on four continents. The 767-400 first flew in October.

What's different about the 767-400? The aircraft is 21 feet longer than the 767-300, with about 15% more seats. This means it will carry 245 passengers in typical three-class configuration and up to 375 in a high-density layout. The aircraft's interior is based on the award-winning 777 design.

The 767-400 also has new raked wingtips, which are unique to this model and contribute to its lower-than predicted fuel consumption and improved takeoff performance. The 767-400 also weighed less than originally estimated and has better altitude performance, Boeing says.

What's the same about the 767-400? The same pilot's type rating can be used as for the 767-200 and ­300. It also is common with the single-aisle 757-200 and ­300 type rating.

The 767-400's eight-month-long flight test program covered 1,150 flight test hours and 1,200 hours of ground testing. It included a trip to Alice Springs, Australia-one of the hottest places on earth-to test the environmental control system.

By Paul Proctor