Boeing exceeds 3,500 hours in 787 flight testing

Published 12:04 pm Friday, April 22, 2011

Boeing’s 787 program has logged more than 3,500 hours in the skies, according to the company’s 787 flight test Web site.

That number is still rising. The first 787, ZA001, flew over to Moses Lake this morning. And the second Dreamliner is flying in the Yuma, Ariz., area.

I’m looking through an early flight test plan that Boeing shared with journalists back in April 2009. At the time, Boeing expected to need 3,000 flight hours to gain certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. Problems discovered in flight testing have added time to Boeing’s plan.

Boeing officials will be expected to give an update on the 787 program next Wednesday when the company reports its first quarter earnings.