The static test is one of the most dramatic moments during the testing of an all-new commercial jetliner before it can carry passengers. While on the ground, the wings of the new plane are gradually bent up until they snap. For certification, the wings must withstand loads up to 1.5 times, or 150 percent, of the highest aerodynamic load that the jet could ever be expected to encounter. Boeing has tested wings to the breaking point, to demonstrate that the wings of its jetliners have a safety margin greater than required and to validate the analytical tools that engineers use in designing new jets.