787 goes to extremes
Friday, September 3, 2010 | 9:27 am
Four of the five 787 test jets are conducting remote operations this week, taking advantage of some extreme temperatures in some cases and simulating them in others, Boeing Co. officials said.
The first 787 is in Roswell, N.M. conducting wet-runway testing, including simulating rejected takeoffs.
The second 787 is conducting high-latitude and cold-weather testing at Keflavik Airport in Iceland.
"We've been watching for the right weather conditions for some time," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. "The team was happy to see the forecast in Iceland met our needs and we deployed to Keflavik earlier this week."
The hot weather in Yuma, Ariz., with temperatures in excess of 100 degrees has provided the necessary conditions for another set of tests on the third 787.
The fourth 787 has spent an extended time operating out of Victorville, Calif., conducting flight loads survey testing. It will also test in Glasgow, Mont., after it wraps up its California testing.
Artificial ice shapes have been affixed to the leading edges of the wings and horizontal and vertical stabilizer of the fifth 787 to complete another group of tests required for certification, said Lori Gunter of Boeing .
Ice-shape testing verifies the airplane's performance in the presence of ice. Natural ice testing has already occurred, she added..
"Flight test is staying very busy," said Fancher. "We continue to be very pleased with the performance of the airplane. We're definitely putting it through its paces, subjecting it to the harshest environments and conditions to ensure it is ready for revenue service."
The 787 flight test fleet has conducted more than 1,650 hours of flying over more than 540 flights. The company recently added two more 787s to the test fleet.
The first 787 is in Roswell, N.M. conducting wet-runway testing, including simulating rejected takeoffs.
The second 787 is conducting high-latitude and cold-weather testing at Keflavik Airport in Iceland.
"We've been watching for the right weather conditions for some time," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. "The team was happy to see the forecast in Iceland met our needs and we deployed to Keflavik earlier this week."
The hot weather in Yuma, Ariz., with temperatures in excess of 100 degrees has provided the necessary conditions for another set of tests on the third 787.
The fourth 787 has spent an extended time operating out of Victorville, Calif., conducting flight loads survey testing. It will also test in Glasgow, Mont., after it wraps up its California testing.
Artificial ice shapes have been affixed to the leading edges of the wings and horizontal and vertical stabilizer of the fifth 787 to complete another group of tests required for certification, said Lori Gunter of Boeing .
Ice-shape testing verifies the airplane's performance in the presence of ice. Natural ice testing has already occurred, she added..
"Flight test is staying very busy," said Fancher. "We continue to be very pleased with the performance of the airplane. We're definitely putting it through its paces, subjecting it to the harshest environments and conditions to ensure it is ready for revenue service."
The 787 flight test fleet has conducted more than 1,650 hours of flying over more than 540 flights. The company recently added two more 787s to the test fleet.
Most recent Aerospace blog posts
Comments
(
