Yesterday, I submitted a series of questions to Boeing about what impact, if any, a government shutdown would have on the aircraft maker. The US government will shut down at 12:01 AM on April 9 if no continuing budget resolution (or permanent budget) compromise is found, meaning that non-essential federal employees will be on furlough until a solution is found. This, as far as the information I have, includes many personnel at the US Federal Aviation Administration who are neither law enforcement or responsible for the protection of property and safety.
It appears unlikely that airworthiness certification efforts are not an essential function of the US government, though I have yet to be told otherwise.
Boeing is currently operating four major simultaneous certification campaigns, three of which are for new aircraft types. The 787 Dreamliner, 747-8 freighter and 747-8 Intercontinental, as well as the 737 paired with CFM56-7BE engines are all currently undergoing certification.
Both the 737 and 747-8 freighter are expected to achieve certification in April and June, respectively prompting the nearer-term need for FAA resources to validate and sign off on tests. Though the 787 may have the most breathing room with its delivery window opening in late-July and progressing through the end of the third quarter in September. Only the 747-8I, which began its flight test program on April 20, has not yet begun to fly for Federal Aviation Administration certification credit.
Inside the factory FAA personnel assist in signing off on assembly operations, though what role Boeing's FAA authorized representatives (ARs) and delegated engineering representative (DERs) play in signing off on manufacturing work is unclear to this outsider.
The response I received from Boeing this afternoon is as follows:
Boeing is evaluating the potential impacts of a government shutdown, if that's what comes to pass. However, until a shutdown is declared, we won't speculate on impact.
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