The 767-400ER (extended range) rose into the sky above Paine Field in Everett, Wash., on Oct. 9, 1999 for the first time, and headed west down the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The airplane, identified as VQ001, lifted off the runway at 12:10 p.m. During the flight a series of tests were conducted on the airplane's systems and structures. Flight-test equipment on board recorded and transmitted data to a flight-test control room at Boeing Field in Seattle. The debut flight signalled the official beginning of a six-and-a-half-month flight-test program for the 767-400ER, during which this airplane, and two other 767-400ERs accumulated approximately 800 flight hours and 1,100 ground-test hours. At the conclusion of flight tests, the 767-400ER achieved certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and concurrence by the European Joint Aviation Authorities.