Boeing begins 787 power-on process

Published 9:59 am Thursday, June 12, 2008

The Boeing Co. has made progress toward putting its delayed 787 Dreamliner in the air this year, beginning the important “power-on” process this month.

Boeing turned electrical power on to its first Dreamliner on Wednesday. Tests of the 787’s systems will continue for the next two weeks.

After several setbacks to the 787, Boeing had outlined a new schedule in April, saying it would meet the power-on milestone this month. The company intends to fly the Dreamliner in the fourth quarter and deliver its first 787 in the third quarter of 2009.

Boeing’s shares, which have trended downward over the last several weeks, shot up much as $3 in early morning trading before settling back down to $75 at around 10 a.m. PST.