From Boeing’s 787 briefings …
Published 10:35 am Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Right off the bat this morning, Boeing addressed the number one question on everyone’s mind: “When will the 787 fly?”
Drum roll …
“We’re not here to provide a program update,” Boeing’s Lori Gunter told dozens of reporters packed into a room not far from Boeing’s Everett factory, where final assembly on the 787 takes place.
But “first flight is going to take place during the second quarter.”
OK, that wasn’t the answer us journalists or you readers want, but that’s the answer we get.
But we are getting a great deal of info about the certification process.
Steve Boyd from the FAA gave an overview of the certifications required by the regulatory agency for new aircraft.
A couple of quick bits of interesting info from the FAA:
The agency issues three certifications for aircraft: one for the design; one for the production of the airplane; one for the jet’s airworthiness.
Boyd believes that each generation of aircraft is safer than its predecessor.
Mike Delaney, Boeing’s 787 chief engineer, talked about what Boeing has accomplished in the certification process.
The company has handed over about 60 percent of the certification necessary for the 787, Delaney said. And the FAA has approved the majority of that work.
The certification work that will take place during flight test only accounts for about 10 percent of the regulatory paperwork remaining, Delaney said.
When will the Boeing Co.’s 787 Dreamliner take its first flight?(online surveys)
