Tag Archives: 787-800

Boeing conducts remote 787 testing

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charles) is conducting remote testing of its 787 test aircraft. Four of the five Boeing 787 flight test airplanes are conducting remote test operations this week. ZA005 continues testing from its base of operations in Seattle.

ZA001, the first 787, is taking a break from operations out of Edwards Air Force Base in California for a week’s worth of testing in Roswell, NM. This is ZA001’s second visit to Roswell. Last month the airplane conducted wet-runway testing there. Testing in the days ahead will include rejected-takeoff conditions. ZA001 has been on remote deployment to Edwards Air Force Base for several weeks, with a focus on takeoff- and landing-performance conditions.

The second 787 is conducting high-latitude and cold-weather testing at Keflavik Airport in Iceland.

The hot weather in Yuma, AZ, with temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), has provided the necessary conditions for another set of tests happening on ZA003. Its deployment is expected to last about another week.

ZA004 has spent an extended time operating out of Victorville, CA, conducting flight loads survey testing. This testing measures external pressure distributions throughout the flight envelope. ZA004 is set to do testing in Glasgow, MT, after it wraps up its California testing.

Artificial ice shapes have been affixed to the leading edges of the wings and horizontal and vertical stabilizer of the fifth 787 to complete another group of tests required for certification. Ice-shape testing verifies the airplane’s performance in the presence of ice. Natural ice testing has already occurred.

The 787 flight test fleet has conducted more than 1,650 hours of flying over more than 540 flights.

Copyright Photo: Rick Schlamp. One of the test aircraft, the fourth (ZA004), Boeing 787-881 N7874 (msn 40693) taxies past the camera at wet Seattle (Boeing Field-King County).

Boeing delays the first 787 delivery to ANA to mid first quarter 2011

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) said that it now expects delivery of the first 787 to ANA in the middle of the first quarter 2011.

The delivery date revision follows an assessment of the availability of an engine needed for the final phases of flight test this fall.

While Boeing works closely with Rolls-Royce to expedite engine availability, flight testing across the test fleet continues as planned.

Boeing said last month that the cumulative impact of a series of issues, including supplier workmanship issues related to the horizontal stabilizer and instrumentation delays, could push first delivery of the 787 a few weeks into 2011. The delay in engine availability has extended that estimate to mid-first quarter 2011.

Meanwhile, due to the new delay, Kenya Airways is threatening to cancel its order for the new airplane.

Copyright Photo: Gabor Hajdufi. Boeing 787-881 N787EX (msn 34488) (test aircraft ZA002) arrives back at Seattle (Boeing Field-King County) after a test flight.

Boeing may take over more suppliers’ work

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) may take over more of the work of suppliers for the 787 Dreamliner according to published report by Tulsa World.

Read the full report:

CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. The first to fly, 787-881 N787BA (msn 40690) makes it final taxi test at Everett (Paine Field).

Royal Jordanian Airlines orders three additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners

Royal Jordanian Airlines (Amman) has signed an order for three additional Boeing 787-8s at the Farnborough International Air Show. This order previously was attributed to an unidentified customer.

Royal Jordanian has now committed to 11 787-8s. Theย Middle Eastย carrier placed its first orders for four 787s in 2007 and also has arranged to lease two airplanes each from CIT Aerospace and International Lease Finance Company (ILFC).

Royal Jordanian was the first airline in theย Middle Eastย to order the 787 Dreamliner. It will place the 787 on North American routes initially, includingย New York,ย Chicago,ย Detroitย andย Toronto.

Will the first 787 Dreamliner delivery to ANA be delayed to early 2011?

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) has stated delivery of its new 787 aircraft to ANA (All Nippon Airways) could be delayed into early 2011. Boeing is still hoping it can deliver the new type to ANA by year’s end.

Read the full report in the WSJ:

CLICK HERE

In other news, Boeing has chosen North Charleston, SC, as the location for its new 787 Dreamlinerย interiors fabrication facility. Boeing will purchase land from Stone Mountain Industrial Park Inc. BRPH will design the facility, and Pattillo Construction will provide construction services. Employees at the facility will manufacture and assemble airplane interior parts.

The new fabrication factory will be 10 miles (16 km) from Boeing’s 787 final assembly and delivery site in North Charleston (CHS). The close proximity of the two facilities will help improve the efficiency of the final assembly and delivery process inย South Carolina. Charleston International Airport (CHS) will become the second 787 assembly plant in 2011 behind Everett (Paine Field) (PAE).

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Boeing 787-881 N787EX (msn 34488) is pictured at Everett (Paine Field) in ANA colors.

Boeing is bringing 787-8 N787BX (ZA003) to Farnborough

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) will make 787 Dreamliner international debut this month when the doors open on the Farnborough International Airshow outside of London.

The 787 flight-test airplane, ZA003 (N787BX), will touch down at Farnborough the morning of Sunday, July 18 and will remain on static display through mid-day July 20. The airplane will be open for tours on a scheduled basis July 19 and 20. Boeing is using ZA003 to test and certify seats, galleys and associated cabin safety and comfort systems, among other test points.

Boeing’s exhibit at the show will focus on unmanned systems, including the international debut of the recently unveiled Phantom Ray demonstrator, the A160 Hummingbird and the Unmanned Little Bird. The Boeing Unmanned Systems Display will showcase more than a dozen products, including the new Integrator and the ScanEagle Compressed Carriage.

During the show’s daily flying demonstration, Boeing will demonstrate the capabilities of its advanced, combat-proven, multi-role F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter. The company and its customers will display several other systems, including the air show debut of the 737-based Peace Eagle airborne early warning and control platform for the Turkish Air Force. Visitors also will see the C-17 Globemaster III military transport; the F-15E Eagle fighter jet; and the AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter. In addition, Qatar Airways will display its newest Boeing 777-300 ER July 19-22.

Second Quarter deliveries:

CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. 787-8 N787BX (msn 40692) is pictured on the runway at Seattle (Boeing Field-King County).

Boeing to inspect its Dreamliners and the horizontal stabilizers

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) will inspect its test fleet of 787 Dreamliners for any faulty workmanship issues involving the horizontal stabilizers.

Read the full report from Reuters:

CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Rick Schlamp. Test aircraft 787-881 N7874 (msn 40693) taxies at Seattle (Boeing Field-King County).

Boeing reaches the midpoint of 787 testing, will bring the 787 to Farnborough

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) has reached the halfway point of testing for the 787 Dreamliner and is happy with the results. The new type will be on display at the Farnborough Air Show next month.

For more details:

CLICK HERE

The new airliner also did well with a recent lightning strike while on a test flight.

For more details:

CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Boeing 787-881 N787BA (msn 40690) taxies at Everett (Paine Field) before the first flight.

Boeing completes 1,000 hours of 787 Dreamliner testing

Boeing’s (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) 787 Dreamliner flight test fleet passed 1,000 hours of testing yesterday (June 17). The program estimates that the testing program is about 40 percent through the test conditions required to certify the first version of the all-new jetliner.

Follow the progress of 787 flight test at http://787flighttest.com.

Copyright Photo: Rick Schlamp. Boeing 787-881 N7874 (msn 40693) passes the camera at Seattle (Boeing Field-King County). It will be eventually delivered to ANA.

Boeing completes first flight of GE-powered 787

Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. Note the GE logo on the engine.

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) first 787-8 Dreamliner with General Electric (GE) engines, the airplane referred to as ZA005 (registered N787FT), completed its first flight atย 6:29 p.m. (Pacific time)ย today, following a 3-hour-and-48-minute flight over the state ofย Washington.

ZA005 will be used to test the General Electric engine package and demonstrate that the changes made with the new engine do not change the airplane’s handling characteristics.

The sixth, and final, 787 to join the flight test program is expected to fly before the end of July.

Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. 787-8 Dreamliner N787FT (msn 40694) arrives at Seattle (Boeing Field-King County) after the first test flight. The new aircraft made a stop at Moses Lake,WA (KMWH) before landing at BFI.