Boeing's LONG-awaited Dreamliner has moved to the flight line.
Fuel testing - the first in the next phase of extensive checks the
airplane must undergo - will begin in the next few days.
"We are making great progress, and moving ever-closer to first
flight," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of
the 787 Dreamliner program.
In recent weeks, the 787 (designated ZA001) completed a rigorous
series of tests including build verification tests, structures and
systems integration tests, landing gear swings and factory
gauntlet, which is the full simulation of the first flight using
the actual airplane. With Chief Pilot Mike Carriker at the
controls, the simulation tested all flight controls, hardware and
software. The simulation also included manual and automatic
landings and an extensive suite of subsequent ground tests.
"These results give us confidence in our ability to move into
further gauntlet testing using either ground power or the
airplane's engines or auxiliary power unit. This is a significant
milestone on the path to first flight," Fancher said. All
structural tests required on the static airframe prior to first
flight also are complete. The final test occurred April 21 when the
wing and trailing edges were subjected to their limit load - the
highest loads expected to be seen in service. The load is about the
same as the airplane experiencing 2.5 times the force of
gravity.
"We continue to analyze the data, but the initial results are
positive," Fancher said. On April 13, the leading edge of the wing
was subjected to its limit load while the rest of the airplane was
subjected to loads expected at cruise. And in September 2008, the
"high blow" high-pressure test was completed on the static
airframe. During that test, the airframe reached an internal
pressure of 150 percent of the maximum levels expected to be seen
in service - 14.9 lbs. per square inch (1.05 kilograms per
centimeter) gauge (psig).
Ground vibration testing, which measures the airplane's response
to flutter, also concluded on the second flight-test airplane,
designated ZA002, at the end of this week. All the necessary
structural tests required prior to first flight now are
complete.
Now on the flight line, ZA001 will undergo additional airplane
power and systems tests as well as engine runs. After completing
final systems checks and high-speed taxi tests, the airplane will
be ready for first flight, which is on schedule for later this
quarter. The 787 Dreamliner has orders for 886 airplanes from 57
customers.