Aerospace stock Boeing (BA) has been working to certify the 777X for some time now, and it turns out that the certification process involves a lot more than some might expect. In fact, one of the certification methods involves what is known as “brake energy testing,” in which brakes can reach a temperature of up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. This revelation did little for shareholders, though, and Boeing shares dipped fractionally in Friday’s trading.
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Most of what we hear about the 777X program includes some comparatively simple, or even new, things. The folding wingtips have received their share of coverage, production issues, and even setbacks in the certification process. But that process takes a lot to accomplish, including one test that represents one of the biggest and most daunting prospects of all, an examination of the brakes.
Brake testing on the 777X certification project, reports note, is done in such a way that the brakes get extremely hot. They reach the 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit level noted earlier. And these are not fresh brakes, either, but rather brakes that have been worn down to levels approaching operational limits. The aircraft reaches 190 knots, loaded to its maximum takeoff weight, and then simulates an aborted takeoff by stopping, with no help from reverse thrust.
Serious New In-Flight Internet
New reports also emerged to note that United Airlines (UAL) is taking a big step in providing in-flight internet access. It will be turning to SpaceX‘s Starlink for that access. United will be loading the service onto a set of Boeing 777-200ER aircraft it got from Continental Airlines as part of the merger.
United expects to have the service available in time for summer, in response to passenger complaints that no internet access is available on these flights. Interestingly, United has added Starlink service to several of its aircraft already, including the entire Embraer E175 fleet. Hopefully, this will give passengers a useful new option that keeps them coming back.
Is Boeing a Good Stock to Buy Right Now?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on BA stock based on 15 Buys and one Hold assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 8.52% rally in its share price over the past year, the average BA price target of $274.14 per share implies 24.95% upside potential.
