Published: Thursday, September 2, 2010
Boeing to add two 787s to flight test fleet
The Boeing Co. will add two 787s to its flight test fleet as the jet maker strives to gain regulatory approval to put its Dreamliner in service.
Boeing confirmed Wednesday that it will add two aircraft on a limited basis -- one for ground testing and one for specific flight tests.
Since Boeing has modified its flight test aircraft, the two new 787s will be in what's considered a production configuration and won't be equipped with any special test flight equipment, 787 spokeswoman Lori Gunter wrote in an e-mail.
Gunter said that it had been Boeing's plan all along to add the two 787s, though Boeing previously had not mentioned it publicly.
Last week, Boeing delayed the first delivery of its 787 from late this year to the middle of the first quarter of 2011, saying it had difficulty in getting the Rolls-Royce engines it needed for testing.
It is more than two years behind its scheduled delivery of the 787 to launch customer All Nippon Airways.
Boeing confirmed Wednesday that it will add two aircraft on a limited basis -- one for ground testing and one for specific flight tests.
Since Boeing has modified its flight test aircraft, the two new 787s will be in what's considered a production configuration and won't be equipped with any special test flight equipment, 787 spokeswoman Lori Gunter wrote in an e-mail.
Gunter said that it had been Boeing's plan all along to add the two 787s, though Boeing previously had not mentioned it publicly.
Last week, Boeing delayed the first delivery of its 787 from late this year to the middle of the first quarter of 2011, saying it had difficulty in getting the Rolls-Royce engines it needed for testing.
It is more than two years behind its scheduled delivery of the 787 to launch customer All Nippon Airways.
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