Thu, Apr 22, 2010
Aerodynamic Configuration Also Finalized
The FAA granted expanded type inspection authorization (TIA) to
Boeing Tuesday, clearing the way for its personnel to fully
participate in future test flights and for the collection of
required flight-test data. Initial TIA was granted Feb. 11, which
supported the collection of flutter certification data.
The expanded TIA marks the FAA's confirmation that the airplane
and team are ready to collect additional certification data. Boeing
achieved the expansion by demonstrating the readiness of the
airplane throughout a variety of speeds, altitudes and
configurations.
"This TIA expansion is another significant step toward
delivering airplanes to our customers. We remain on track to
deliver the first airplane to ANA this year," said Scott Fancher,
vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Commercial
Airplanes.
In addition to receiving expanded TIA, Boeing finalized the
aerodynamic configuration of the 787.
"We have completed sufficient testing to decide that no
additional changes to the external lines or shape of the airplane
are required," said Fancher. "Having an airplane match its expected
performance with so few changes is rare and speaks to the maturity
of the design."
The 787 flight-test fleet logged its 500th hour of flying April
16. On Sunday, ZA003, the flight-test airplane outfitted with
interior elements, landed in Florida, where it will go through
extreme weather testing at McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin
Air Force Base.
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