GE Aviation has started ground testing the first full GE9X development engine at its Peebles Test Operation in Ohio. The testing, which the manufacturer captured on video, will generate data on the full engine system of the future Boeing 777X engine.

Compared to other aero engine programs, the GE9X’s first engine to test (FETT) milestone happened earlier in the development process—six months after the engine design was completed, GE said on April 11. “This timing assures all learnings from FETT will be captured in the certification engines,” the manufacturer added.

“The entire GE9X team—from engineering to sourcing to supply chain to development assembly—devoted countless hours to enable this achievement to occur,” said Bill Millhaem, GE Aviation general manager of GE90 and GE9X engine programs. “The ground testing will generate data on the full engine system and aerodynamic performance, mechanical verification and aero thermal system validation.”

Next year will see the start of flight and certification testing of the GE9X on GE’s Boeing 747 flying testbed. Engine certification from the Federal Aviation Administration is anticipated in 2018.

GE reported nearly 700 orders for the 100,000-pound-thrust-class engine. The GE9X will have the largest front fan at 134 inches in diameter, with a composite fan case and 16 fourth-generation carbon fiber composite fan blades. Japan’s IHI Corporation, MTU Aero Engines of Germany, and Safran companies Snecma and Techspace Aero are participating in the GE9X program.