Boeing readies 787 for first flight

[NM]

I am sure there will be lots of media reports in the coming weeks as Boeing readies the 787 for its first flight.

Here is a video if the first engine run. The smoke is the burning off the protective coating used for shipping the engines from Rolls Royce and is normal for a brand new engine. The engines were run for about 40 mins, then powered down, checked and restarted later in the day.

 

[Slats7]

Nice! I can't wait for the 787.

 

[mannej]

I for one is looking forward to the 787 taking to the air!

 

[Flying Fox]

Thanks for the footage.

Looking forward to first flight and travelling on one.

Hopefully they will publish a box DVD set of the entire production story just like the B777 one.

 

[codash1099]

Thanks for the footage.

Looking forward to first flight and travelling on one.

Hopefully they will publish a box DVD set of the entire production story just like the B777 one.

or show it endlessly on Discovery Channel as with the A380

 

[Slats7]

or show it endlessly on Discovery Channel as with the A380

I hope so

 

[Slats7]

Boeing 787 On Track To Fly In June - CEO

Boeing's delayed 787 Dreamliner is on track for its first test flight next month, Boeing chief executive Jim McNerney said on Wednesday.

 

[Flying Fox]

Hooray and about time.

Can't wait to see her in the air!

 

[meloz]

Nice! I can't wait for the 787.

You may be waiting a bit longer. Word on the street is JQ will not take delivery of the 800 series and are now going to wait for the 900 series.

Meloz

 

[Slats7]

You may be waiting a bit longer. Word on the street is JQ will not take delivery of the 800 series and are now going to wait for the 900 series.

Meloz

I'm hoping this isn't the case.

 

[Evan]

I'm hoping this isn't the case.

All depends how good or bad the early frames may be, it seems that there is little difference to a current model A330 in the short term although there may be a yet un-tested significant decrease in maintenance costs.

The market has changed a lot in the last year, i am sure they are being looked at a log more closely to see how and if they fit in the QF/JQ fleet.

 

[NM]

Noted at KPAE Paine Field: N787BA

An FAA guy was on the flightdeck today and observed several test blocks, including a successful RAT functional test.

And as reported in Australian Aviation (sorry, no on-line link available):

Boeing confirmed on June 8 that the first 787, ZA001, had completed its nine day long ‘intermediate gauntlet’ tests.

During the testing, pilots and engineers simulated multiple scenarios using all airplane systems as if the aircraft were in flight, including power, avionics and flight controls.

"The team has done an incredible job supporting an exhaustive test regimen," said Scott Fancher, VP and general manager of the 787 program. "We will continue to take a hard look at the results, make adjustments and finish up our testing so we can get to first flight."

The 787 will now move into its final gauntlet testing before its first flight, which is expected by the end of the month.

Found a link to the original source: http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/flightblogger/2009/06/the-road-to-787-first-flight---17.html

 

[NM]

Some interesting short videos of the 787 progress.

 

[Flying Fox]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Thanks for sharing!

+1 great detailed stuff...

One of the things I love about the aviation industry is the amazing engineering involved...

 

[NM]

From FlightGlobal.com:

Boeing's vice president of airplane programs, Pat Shanahan, suggested that the American airframer is nearing a decision on a second 787 production line and labor stability is a key factor in determining its location.

Quite a good article around Boeing's progress and manufacturing plans for 787.

 

[Nigelinoz]

FROM:
Airliners.net | Airplanes - Aviation - Aircraft- Aircraft Photos & News...

Boeing is planning another week of 787 tests as ZA001 counts down to first flight, expected June 28.
Counting down Boeing’s long task lists leads to June 28 being a likely target for the first flight of ZA001, the first flight test article in the 787 program.
Boeing will run through a series of six major ground tests from Friday through Sunday, June 21. They are broken into blocks of three. The first covers cover primary flight control system “axis” testing, which is to finish Saturday. The other focuses on functionality check out tests of the flight control management system and should wrap up by Sunday afternoon.
The six tests were originally set to be completed by Saturday evening, a clear indication of how volatile the schedule is as Boeing pushes to get ZA001 into the air by the end of June

 

[Slats7]

Boeing readies Dreamliner for first flight | Travel News | News.com.au

US aerospace giant Boeing is readying its 787 Dreamliner for first test flight in the coming days, banking on the new fuel-efficient plane to sail above stiff market headwinds.

 

[Slats7]

The first flight has now been delayed!!

Boeing delays 787 Dreamliner test flight | The Australian

BOEING'S shares plunged almost 9 per cent after it postponed the test flight of its first new aircraft in more than 10 years.

The company said that problems with the body of the revolutionary 787 Dreamliner had forced it to delay the test, scheduled for the second quarter of 2009.

 

[NM]

Boeing's announcement is up on their site.

EVERETT, Wash., June 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) today announced that first flight of the 787 Dreamliner will be postponed due to a need to reinforce an area within the side-of-body section of the aircraft.

The need was identified during the recent regularly scheduled tests on the full-scale static test airplane. Preliminary analysis indicated that flight test could proceed this month as planned. However, after further testing and consideration of possible modified flight test plans, the decision was made late last week that first flight should instead be postponed until productive flight testing could occur.