WASHINGTON, Nov 22 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration has cleared Boeing (BA.N) to begin certification flight testing of its 737 MAX 10, the largest version of its bestselling jet aimed at seizing the top of the narrowbody market. The FAA granted type inspection authorization for the 737 MAX 10 earlier this week, a milestone that allows FAA pilots to participate in flight testing needed to certify the plane for normal operations, three Boeing executives wrote in a letter to employees. The 737 MAX 10 is Boeing's answer to the A321neo made by European rival Airbus (AIR.PA), which has dominated the lucrative top of the single-aisle market in battles against Boeing's MAX 9. The MAX 10 has so far logged more than 400 flights and almost 1,000 flight hours during Boeing's test program. Boeing's MAX 7 - the smallest entrant of the 737 MAX family - is still awaiting FAA certification, expected by the end of 2023.

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Persons: Mike Fleming, Boeing's, Ed Clark, Wayne Tygert, Valerie Insinna, Chizu Organizations: Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing, FAA, Airbus, Boeing's, Thomson