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<< Previous   of   Next >> Michael O'Leary / The Herald  (click to enlarge) The Boeing Co. towed a 787 that will be used for testing off the Dreamliner production line and into the test rig a couple doors down. Testing of the aircraft is an important step toward the Dreamliner's first flight, scheduled for late 2008. Michael O'Leary / The Herald  (click to enlarge) The Boeing Co. towed a 787 that will be used for testing off the Dreamliner production line and into the test rig a couple doors down. Testing of the aircraft is an important step toward the Dreamliner's first flight, scheduled for late 2008. (click to enlarge) The Boeing Co. moves its first 787 Dreamliner out of its factory in Everett on Friday. The company later towed a 787 that will be used for tests off the line.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, April 26, 2008 Boeing shows off signs of 787 progress The first two jets get a short parade as production continues. By Michelle Dunlop, Herald Writer EVERETT -- Signs of progress on the Boeing Co.'s delayed 787 Dreamliner were paraded out of the company's Everett factory Friday. Boeing rolled out its first Dreamliner -- painted but unfinished -- in order to tow one it will use for testing from the 787 production line and to the test rig a few doors down. As it works toward first flight later this year, Boeing looked to meet two goals in April: having all assemblies in Everett for the third 787 and moving the test airplane, what's called a static airplane, into position. On Friday, the company did both. The last of the assemblies for the third jet -- the mid-section -- arrived Friday morning, said Mary Hanson, Boeing spokeswoman. That afternoon, the company opened the giant doors to the factory and pulled the first 787, scratched tail and all, out into the sunshine. Within 30 minutes, the test plane had been moved down as Boeing employees looked on. The company will use the aircraft only for test purposes. Boeing has pushed back deliveries of it mostly composite 787 Dreamliner by nearly 18 months. Company officials say parts shortages, incomplete assemblies from suppliers and production issues caused the setback. Earlier this month, 787 program leader Pat Shanahan laid out several milestone to track the 787's progress as Boeing tries to get its delayed Dreamliner back on track. In June, the company intends to have all assemblies for the fourth 787 in Everett. It also plans to move the test 787, called the "fatigue" aircraft, into testing and receive the Federal Aviation Administration's OK on the 787's systems hardware. By the end of June, Boeing wants to turn the power on in the first Dreamliner. Boeing has received nearly 900 orders for its 787. It intends to deliver the first Dreamliner to All Nippon Airways during the third quarter of 2009. Boeing officials including Shanahan say suppliers are shipping assemblies at a higher level of completeness than they did for the first 787, which was rolled out for the first time last July. One supplier, Vought Aircraft Industries announced this week that it had shipped the aft fuselage section for Dreamliner No. 3 in mid-April. This was the first section by Vought that includes structures and some systems components, the supplier said. "We have successfully demonstrated our commitment to the quality and level of completeness of our aft sections to the 787 Dreamliner program, while at the same time effectively reducing the amount of traveled work to Boeing," said Joy Romero, vice president of Vought's 787 division. Vought admitted last fall to being one of Boeing's more problematic suppliers. The company recently sold its shares in a South Carolina Dreamliner factory to Boeing, in a move that both Boeing and Vought said would allow the supplier to concentrate on producing 787 parts. When the sale is finalized, Boeing and Italy's Alenia Aeronautica will own jointly Global Aeronautica, where workers piece together sections from Italy and Japan and continue installation work. Reporter Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com.

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