Boeing: Testing Program Making Good Progress
The final Dreamliner to join the flight test fleet made its
first flight Monday from Paine Field in Everett, Wash. The
airplane, ZA006, is the second 787 equipped with General Electric
GEnx engines to fly.
Boeing ZA006
Captains Christine Walsh and Bill Roberson were at the controls
during the 1 hour and 4 minute flight. The airplane landed at
Boeing Field at 1245 PDT. "It's great to have our last flight test
airplane join the fleet," said Scott Fancher, vice president and
general manager of the 787 program. "We have been focused on
completing the testing required for certification of the 787 with
Rolls-Royce engines, because that is the first model we deliver. A
great deal of the testing that we've done also applies to the 787s
with GE engines and won't need to be repeated," said Fancher.
There is, however, a smaller portion of testing that is unique
to the engine/airframe combination. In general, this portion
includes noise testing, extreme weather operations, function and
reliability, and extended operations. In addition, testing to
verify the airplane handles the same regardless of engine type and
that the systems work on both models is required.
Some additional flight tests will be performed on one of the
production airplanes, the ninth 787 to be built, but it is not
considered a full-time member of the flight test fleet.
In addition to achieving first flight of ZA006, the Boeing test
team has completed a number of flight test milestones in recent
weeks. Boeing wrapped up a series of natural and artificial icing
tests, meeting all requirements with no changes required. Pilots
reported that the airplane continues to handle well even in the
presence of ice.
Flight loads survey testing, which demonstrates the pressure
distribution on the airplane structure throughout the phases of
flight in a variety of configurations, also has been completed. The
team conducted this testing on ZA004 primarily at the airport at
Victorville, CA. Analysis of this testing continues.
A dramatic series of tests that stress the airplane's brakes,
called maximum brake energy testing, was completed in late
September at Edwards Air Force Base, also in California. ZA001
conducted this testing as well as a series of extreme takeoff and
landing conditions including minimum takeoff speed testing. Earlier
in the month, ZA001 completed wet runway testing at Roswell, NM.
ZA003 flew to Glasgow, MT, to complete community noise testing. All
results were within expectations.
As a result of these tests and others, all takeoff performance
and handling characteristics testing is complete for the initial
version of the 787. Additional testing will be required for 787s
equipped with GE engines. The 787 flight test program has logged
more than 1,900 hours over 620 flights and completed more than 65
percent of the flight test conditions for 787s with Rolls-Royce
engines. Equally important to the testing required in the air is
the ground testing required to certify a new airplane. Boeing has
completed well over 4,000 hours of ground testing on the same
airplanes that are in the flight test program.
787 Static Testing
In addition, fatigue testing has started at a test rig in
Everett. Fifteen flights have been simulated. Federal regulations
require Boeing to conduct twice as many flight cycles as any
airplane in revenue service. Boeing plans to have completed 10,000
flight cycles prior to first delivery. "We continue to be extremely
satisfied with the performance of the 787 in its testing
operations," said Fancher. "This airplane handles wonderfully."