Boeing’s 787 logs 500 hours of flight, gains additional FAA approval

Published 8:44 pm Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The Boeing Co.’s 787 jet has cleared another regulatory hurdle on its path to first delivery later this year, the company said Tuesday.

The Federal Aviation Administration has given Boeing expanded type inspection authorization, which allows FAA officials to accompany Boeing on 787 flights to collect flight-test data needed for certification.

The move “is another significant step toward delivering airplanes to our customers. We remain on track to deliver the first airplane to ANA this year,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Commercial Airplanes.

Boeing’s 787 flight test airplanes have logged a total of 500 hours of flight since the first Dreamliner made its maiden flight Dec. 15, 2009. Boeing also said on Tuesday that it has finalized the aerodynamic configuration of the 787.

“We have completed sufficient testing to decide that no additional changes to the external lines or shape of the airplane are required,” Fancher said. “Having an airplane match its expected performance with so few changes is rare and speaks to the maturity of the design.”

Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, which is more than two years behind schedule, has won 866 orders.

The Chicago-based company is set to report its first quarter earnings Wednesday.