"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."
Source: Scott Fancher, Vice President and
General Manager of the 787 Dreamliner program, commenting on the
movement of the first 787 test flight vehicle to the flightline,
after completing 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, h