andy
It's been asked, but perhaps not quite so well or succinctly.
First of all, it isn't 777. It is one iteration, the 777-200-ER (Extended Range). The one with the Trent RB211-800 engine fit. There are 228 of these flying.
As for your question, no one can or will say. The FAA (EASA's counterpart in America), has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) regarding prevention/mitigation of the problem of Ice plugging the FOHE. It is assumed that this step is sufficient to make safe this fleet of a/c for now, anticipating the development and certification of a replacement for the challenged system. When that fix is available, the a/c will be refit in some sequence deemed appropriate to the specific fleet. This is my understanding, and since an error in this forum is immediately pounced upon, I am reasonably confident of its accuracy.
AF
Last edited by airfoilmod; 16th March 2009 at 15:32.