the first NG to roll out was a-700 on december 8, 1996. this aircraft, the 2,843rd 737 built,first flew on february 9, 1997. the prototype 800 rolled out on june 30 ,1997 and first flew on july 31, 1997. the smallest of the new variants,the-600s,is the same size as the -500.it was the last in this series to launch,in december 1997. first flying january 22 , 1998, it was given certification on august 18, 1998. a flight test program was operated by 10 aircrafts:3-600s, 4-700s,and 3-800s.