Tue, Jun 05, 2007
Four-Plane Fleet Will Be Used To Ferry 787 Assemblies To
WA
Boeing announced Monday its Dreamlifter, the specially modified
747-400 used to transport the major assemblies for the 787
Dreamliner, was granted type certification on Saturday, June 2,
from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The certification recognizes the Dreamlifter has successfully
passed all of the testing and safety requirements required by the
FAA. The Dreamlifter does not need to be certified by other
regulatory agencies.
"This certification reflects not only the safety and reliability
of the Dreamlifter but also its remarkable performance," said Scott
Strode, 787 vice president of Airplane Definition and
Production.
As part of the flight test program, FAA officials flew on board
the Dreamlifter as it delivered major sections of the Dreamliner
from partner sites around the world to the Boeing factory in
Everett, WA for final assembly. Boeing reports the flights allowed
the FAA to validate the overall delivery process and tools.
The Dreamlifter is not certified to carry passengers beyond
essential crew. The Dreamlifter completed 437 flight-test hours and
639 hours of ground testing since its first flight on September
9, 2006.
With certification achieved, operation of the Dreamlifter fleet
will soon be assumed by Evergreen International Airlines (EIA) of
McMinnville, OR. EIA must first complete the required New Airplane
Process Document process proving it is ready to operate the
aircraft. Boeing expects the transition to EIA to occur in
June.
Boeing currently has two Dreamlifters in operation, with a third
now under construction. Eventually, four Dreamlifters will be
utilized to ferry subcontractor-assembled components of the 787 to
Everett.
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