EVERETT — Two years late and after five major delays, the Boeing Co.’s 787 Dreamliner is tentatively set to make its first flight Tuesday, the company said late Thursday.
Boeing’s mostly composite Dreamliner could take to the skies as soon as 10 a.m., Tuesday, from Everett’s Paine Field. The jet will undergo taxi testing there in the coming days. The first flight date and time depend on weather conditions. And Boeing is still awaiting approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
The company said earlier on Thursday that its Dreamliner had successfully cleared several tests required before first flight.
“We are pleased with the pace of progress in preparing to enter our flight test program,” said Scott Fancher, Boeing’s vice president of the 787 program.
In June, Boeing executives assured customers at the Paris Air Show that their 787 would fly that month. But days later, the company announced that it had found a structural flaw in the 787’s side, causing an additional delay.
Boeing engineers devised a fix for the 787s already built and Machinists finished installing the modification on the first Dreamliner on Nov. 12. The company wrapped up static tests on the 787 on Nov. 30 During the tests, the wing and trailing edges of the airframe were subjected to the highest loads expected to be seen in service. On Thursday, Boeing said the static test results prove its Dreamliner is fit to fly.
Boeing also put the 787 through two days of rigorous tests meant to simulate the conditions the Dreamliner will experience in flight. Those tests were successful, Boeing said.
“We are very pleased with the results of this final functional testing,” Fancher said. “With the successful completion of static testing and this functional testing, our focus now moves to first flight.”
First flight signals the beginning of Boeing’s flight test program, during which the company will demonstrate to the FAA that its 787 lives up to flight and safety standards.
To meet its Tuesday first flight goal, the 787 will need some help from Mother Nature in the Puget Sound region.
In order to clear the 787 for its first flight, there will need to be good visibility, no standing water on the runway and gentle to no wind, said Yvonne Leach, spokeswoman for the 787 program.
The Dreamliner will take off from Everett’s Paine Field and land at Boeing Field in Seattle.
Boeing plans to deliver the first of its fuel-efficient 787s in the fourth quarter of 2010, more than two years behind schedule. There are 840 Dreamliner jets on order.
The Dreamliner will take off from Everett’s Paine Field and land at Boeing Field in Seattle.
Boeing plans to deliver the first of its fuel-efficient 787s in the fourth quarter of 2010, more than two years behind schedule. There are 840 Dreamliner jets on order.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
