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CONTACT SCBJ Kurt Batdorf, Editor kbatdorf@scbj.com

Boeing tests 787s in California, N.M., Iceland

SCBJ staff

EVERETT — Four of the five Boeing 787 flight test airplanes are conducting remote test operations this week. ZA005 continues testing from its base of operations in Seattle.

ZA001, the first 787, is taking a break from operations out of Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California’s Mojave Desert for a week’s worth of testing in Roswell, N.M. This is ZA001’s second visit to Roswell. Last month, the airplane conducted wet runway testing there. Testing in the days ahead will include rejected-takeoff conditions. ZA001 has been on remote deployment to Edwards Air Force Base for several weeks, with a focus on takeoff- and landing-performance conditions.

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 Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), has provided the necessary conditions for another set of tests happening on ZA003. Its deployment is expected to last about another week.

ZA004 has spent an extended time operating out of Victorville, Calif., conducting flight loads survey testing. This testing measures external pressure distributions throughout the flight envelope. ZA004 is set to do testing 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. Ice-shape testing verifies the airplane’s performance in the presence of ice. Natural ice testing has already occurred.

“Flight test is staying very busy,” Fancher said. “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.

After another delay due to a Rolls-Royce engine issue, the first customer 787 is now scheduled for delivery in mid-first quarter of 2011.