Boeing's new 777-9 must prove it can fly without normal electrical power
What happened
US aviation regulators are creating new safety rules for Boeing's 777-9 airplane. This is because the plane's critical systems rely on electrical power in a way current rules do not cover.
Why it matters
For decades, aircraft design assumed that if a plane lost its main electrical power, some systems would still work. Boeing's new 777-9 design relies on electrical and electronic systems for critical functions, even in a power loss. This means regulators must now define what 'safe' looks like for a plane that might go completely dark.
The signal
Watch for how Boeing demonstrates the plane's ability to operate safely without normal electrical power, and whether these new rules become a standard for future aircraft designs.