Fourth 787 returns to flight with new power system software

The Boeing Co.'s fourth flight test 787 was back in the air Monday.

This is only the second time since Boeing's Dec. 23 announcement that the 787 would resume flight test activities that the Dreamliner has been in the air.

According to FlightAware, the fourth 787 test plane took off from Boeing Field at a little before noon Monday, heading for Moses Lake.

After a stop at Moses Lake, the 787, which was headed back to Boeing Field, was diverted to Everett's Paine Field. However, after about 50 minutes on the ground in Everett, the 787 flew back to Boeing Field.

Boeing grounded its 787 test planes Nov. 9 after an electrical fire forced the second Dreamliner to make an emergency landing in Laredo, Texas. After determining the cause of the fire, on Dec. 23, Boeing said that the Dreamliner would resume flight test activities. The fourth Dreamliner flew that day and hasn't been in the air since until Monday.

In December, Boeing said it had installed updated power distribution system software on the fourth test plane. Boeing said it was focusing on tests the company, not federal authorities, has determined the 787 needs to complete. After those tests are complete, Boeing hoped to resume certification flight tests, which means test required by the Federal Aviation Administration to gain approval to fly commercially.

Boeing has not released a new delivery schedule for the 787 but is expected to do so once certification flights resume.