Published: Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Two more jets begin 787, 747-8 test flights
EVERETT — The Boeing Co. boosted both its 747-8 and 787 flight testing programs this weekend, putting two new jets in the air.
On Sunday, Boeing flew both a new 747-8 Freighter and a new 787 for the first time. The company plans to make the first deliveries of the 787 and 747-8 later this year after obtaining certification from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Three months into the 787’s flight-test program, Boeing added its fourth Dreamliner Sunday afternoon. This 787 was the third Dreamliner built by Boeing, but the fourth to fly. It is equipped partially with seating and overhead bins like those passengers will see when 787s enter commercial service.
“We’ve done a significant amount of ground testing on the new systems on ZA003 in preparation for first flight,” said Capt. Ray Craig, who flew the Dreamliner along with Mike Bryan.
The 787 flew for three hours and six minutes before landing at 2:01 p.m. at Boeing Field in Seattle. Boeing has two more 787s left to join flight testing. Altogether, Boeing’s flight test 787 have flown nearly 100 flights and logged in almost 300 hours in the air.
Boeing’s second 747-8 Freighter took off at 3:57 p.m. Sunday from Everett’s Paine Field and landed at 6:25 p.m. at Boeing Field in Seattle. The airplane reached an elevation of 27,000 feet and a maximum speed of 276 mph.
“The airplane performed well on its first flight,” said Andy Hammer, test program manager for 747-8. “It was a good start to a demanding flight-test program for this airplane.”
Boeing plans to have three 747-8 Freighters in its flight test program. The company said it eventually will send this second freighter for testing in Palmdale, Calif. One of its 787 aircraft has been going through tests in Victorville, Calif.
Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454, mdunlop@heraldnet.com.
On Sunday, Boeing flew both a new 747-8 Freighter and a new 787 for the first time. The company plans to make the first deliveries of the 787 and 747-8 later this year after obtaining certification from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Three months into the 787’s flight-test program, Boeing added its fourth Dreamliner Sunday afternoon. This 787 was the third Dreamliner built by Boeing, but the fourth to fly. It is equipped partially with seating and overhead bins like those passengers will see when 787s enter commercial service.
“We’ve done a significant amount of ground testing on the new systems on ZA003 in preparation for first flight,” said Capt. Ray Craig, who flew the Dreamliner along with Mike Bryan.
The 787 flew for three hours and six minutes before landing at 2:01 p.m. at Boeing Field in Seattle. Boeing has two more 787s left to join flight testing. Altogether, Boeing’s flight test 787 have flown nearly 100 flights and logged in almost 300 hours in the air.
Boeing’s second 747-8 Freighter took off at 3:57 p.m. Sunday from Everett’s Paine Field and landed at 6:25 p.m. at Boeing Field in Seattle. The airplane reached an elevation of 27,000 feet and a maximum speed of 276 mph.
“The airplane performed well on its first flight,” said Andy Hammer, test program manager for 747-8. “It was a good start to a demanding flight-test program for this airplane.”
Boeing plans to have three 747-8 Freighters in its flight test program. The company said it eventually will send this second freighter for testing in Palmdale, Calif. One of its 787 aircraft has been going through tests in Victorville, Calif.
Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454, mdunlop@heraldnet.com.
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