Function & Reliability, ETOPS Demonstrations Mark The Last
Items On The Checklist
Boeing began Function & Reliability (F&R) testing and
extended operations (ETOPS) demonstrations Monday on the 787
Dreamliner. This is the final phase of flight testing prior to
certification of the airplane. "We are ready for this final phase
of flight testing," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general
manager of the 787 program. "The team has created a solid plan for
accomplishing the hours and test points required for F&R and
ETOPS testing in support of delivery to our customer ANA in the
August to September time period."
F&R testing simulates various normal and non-normal
operations for the airplane, in a realistic airline-like flight
environment. ETOPS refers to extended operations – for twin
jets, flights that are more than 60 minutes away from a suitable
landing field. During ETOPS demonstrations the company validates
the airplane's ability to safely divert for a variety of reasons,
including long diversions with one engine shut down.
In addition to F&R and ETOPS testing for the 787 with
Rolls-Royce engines, Boeing continues certification testing on 787s
with General Electric engines and will conduct a separate
F&R/ETOPS test program for that version of the airplane. Other
activities will continue on the flight test fleet to support Boeing
objectives including examining potential technologies for the 787-9
and testing engine improvement packages.
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