Boeing’s “Engine air start test” to demonstrate reliability:
20 February 2020: In one of a kind incident, Boeing T-7A crew shut off the engine mid-air to demonstrate reliability. This test was the latest success for a program for US Air Force that's meeting all its critical development milestones.
"Engine air start testing requires a large amount of preparation, planning and teamwork," said T-7A Chief Pilot Steve Schmidt. "It's a test of all the subsystems built for backup in the event a pilot would have to shut the engine down in an emergency and power it back up again."
Schmidt performed the test with fellow Boeing Pilot William Berryman.
"This is a testament not only to the confidence our pilots have in the reliability of the T-7A aircraft, but also to the team who designed, engineered and built this new trainer aircraft for the Air Force," said Chuck Dabundo, T-7 vice president and program manager.
The plane flew for 48 seconds before restarting the GE F404 engine at 20,000 feet above an Illinois test area before landing at the Boeing's St. Louis site
The U.S Air Force has awarded Boeing with a $9.2 billion contract to supply T-7A Red Hawk aircraft and training simulators in September 2018. Designed by Boeing and Saab, the T-7A has already accumulated more than 175 hours of flight time in more than 160 developmental test flights.
The company expects to deliver the first T-7A Red Hawk to the U.S. Air Force in 2023.
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