Boeing’s 787 begins ‘final gauntlet’ tests prior to first flight

Published 12:18 pm Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The Boeing Co. is putting its delayed 787 jet through one of the final set of tests leading up to first flight.

Boeing confirmed Wednesday that it has begun “final gauntlet” tests on the first Dreamliner in Everett. The tests are expected to last a couple of days, according to an email from Boeing spokeswoman Lori Gunter.

The company called off the 787’s first flight in June after discovering a flaw in the area where the jet’s wings and body join. Boeing finished installing a modification on its first 787 last month and wrapped up static tests on the jet last month. Those results, which are necessary to clear the jet for first flight, are expected shortly.

While it awaits those results, Boeing has gone ahead with further testing on its mostly composite Dreamliner.

The purpose of the final gauntlet tests is to verify the flight readiness of our systems, Gunter wrote. Boeing is retesting in areas where it has made improvements to the systems software over the last several months.

The Dreamliner still needs to complete taxiing tests as well before first flight, which could take place as early as next week.

Boeing is racing to get its 787 in the air by year’s end, the date Boeing officials promised earlier this year. Several setbacks have caused Boeing to delay its popular Dreamliner by more than two years.