Aviation Week's Check 6 Podcast
Sep 25, 2026 · 30 min · 9 segments
Long-running tensions between Boeing and GE Aerospace over engines surfaced again, with 777X the cause du jour. Editors explain the dynamics at play and also discuss the 737 MAX ramp-up and what might…
So, like I said, Here we are in September, and there was some news recently regarding Boeing that we all actually wound up writing about.
But before we review what happened, we need to get at least one technical explanation out of the way for our audience.
Sean, when I hear the word ETOPS, my mind assumes it's a new sneaker brand that my teenage son wants me to buy.
ETOPS is the certification design and operational approvals that airlines need to have to fly far from suitable airports.
Its current meaning, and it has evolved over the years, is simply in FAA parlance extended operations.
The twin engine part has been taken out because it's not just for twin engine airplanes anymore, even though now all of the certifications and what we're going to be talking about and the authorizations are for twin engine airplanes because that's all there are anymore, right, Guy? At least when it comes to old school turbofan engines, it's just twin engine airplanes.
in terms of the new certification, which is what we're talking about in test flying.
But it is it is it says it's a it's a rigorous set of, again, design and operational requirements.
parameters that operators must meet to fly basically more than, if you're more than 60 minutes from an airport, some application of ETOPS is going to apply to you.
And that's what the 777 and everything else flying, you know, trans, well, polar routes and trans-oceanic routes need these approvals.
And that's what the 777-9 is part of the 777-9's certification TIA package that it's going through now.
And to make it blatantly obvious, this is all about engines, right, when it comes to UTOPS?
I think that a lot of people listening to this podcast would take would take issue with that.
So, like I said, Here we are in September, and there was some news recently regarding Boeing that we all actually wound up writing about.
But before we review what happened, we need to get at least one technical explanation out of the way for our audience.
Sean, when I hear the word ETOPS, my mind assumes it's a new sneaker brand that my teenage son wants me to buy.
ETOPS is the certification design and operational approvals that airlines need to have to fly far from suitable airports.
Its current meaning, and it has evolved over the years, is simply in FAA parlance extended operations.
The twin engine part has been taken out because it's not just for twin engine airplanes anymore, even though now all of the certifications and what we're going to be talking about and the authorizations are for twin engine airplanes because that's all there are anymore, right, Guy? At least when it comes to old school turbofan engines, it's just twin engine airplanes.
in terms of the new certification, which is what we're talking about in test flying.
But it is it is it says it's a it's a rigorous set of, again, design and operational requirements.
parameters that operators must meet to fly basically more than, if you're more than 60 minutes from an airport, some application of ETOPS is going to apply to you.
And that's what the 777 and everything else flying, you know, trans, well, polar routes and trans-oceanic routes need these approvals.
And that's what the 777-9 is part of the 777-9's certification TIA package that it's going through now.
And to make it blatantly obvious, this is all about engines, right, when it comes to UTOPS?
I think that a lot of people listening to this podcast would take would take issue with that.
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