Boeing’s 787 partner Alenia Aeronautica says it has finished destructive testing on the Dreamliner’s horizontal stabilizer.
After testing the stabilizer over the past seven months, Italy’s Alenia says the part meets its certification requirements of being able to withstand 150 percent of its maximum load.
“Successful completion of the 787 horizontal stabilizer failure test marks the culmination of an innovative design and development activity,” said Randy Harley, Boeing’s vice president and general manager, 787 engineering and technology, in a press statement. ”Working together, the 787 team has once again confirmed the power of an integrated partnership.”
Boeing confirmed yesterday that an Alenia employee working in South Carolina caused damage to a 787 center fuselage by not following procedures. The damage on section 44 means that Boeing missed its goal of having all the assemblies for aircraft four in Everett by the end of June.
As a result, Boeing is revisiting its already delayed 787 schedule. The company had hoped to begin flight testing on the Dreamliner in the fourth quarter of this year. Boeing plans to put six test aircraft, including Dreamliner four, into flight test.
Just last week, Boeing’s chief executive Jim McNerney paid Alenia’s Grottaglie site another visit – his second trip to the Italian supplier. Alenia has pictures from his visit on its Web site.
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