Boeing to add two 787s to flight test fleet

The Boeing Co. will add two 787s to its flight test fleet as the jet maker strives to gain regulatory approval to put its Dreamliner in service.

Boeing confirmed today that it will add two aircraft on a limited basis — one for ground testing and one for specific flight tests. Since Boeing has modified its flight test aircraft, the two new 787s will be in what’s considered a production configuration and won’t be equipped with any special test flight equipment, Lori Gunter, 787 spokeswoman, wrote in an email.

Gunter said that it had been Boeing’s plan all along to add the two 787s, though Boeing had not mentioned it publicly previously.

Last week, Boeing delayed the first delivery of its 787 to the middle of the first quarter of 2011 from late 2010. Boeing is more than two years behind schedule on its 787.