Boeing tells ANN that it has completed the intermediate
gauntlet phase of testing on the first 787 Dreamliner. 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. Test scenarios ranged from
standard flights to single and multiple systems failures during
flights.
Intermediate gauntlet testing included about one week's worth of
operations on the airplane and hundreds of discrete test
conditions.
"The team has done an incredible job supporting an exhaustive
test regimen," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general
manager of the 787 program. "I couldn't be more proud.
"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."
When the 787 taxis out of its home at Paine Field for its first
flight, it will start a test program that is expected to consume
3500 hours, spread over 8 airframes (two of which will never fly).
The first flight will probably require some three hours and will
terminate at Boeing Field... where we understand one hell of a
party is being planned. The actual flight test program is expected
to be completed in less than nine months from first flight.
It's been a tough road for Boeing's latest design... the first
to take aggressive advantage of extensive carbon composite
technologies (as much as 50 percent of the primary structure -
including the fuselage and wing - on the 787 is made of composite
materials) and some truly inspired aerodynamic fine-tuning. The
bird was originally expected to fly back in the summer of 2007, but
has been dealing with well-documented delays due to the unique
demands associated with new materials and construction/fabrication
techniques as well as a multi-month mechanic strike.
The first version of the 787 Dreamliner, the "Dash-8" will carry
210 - 250 passengers on routes of 7,650 to 8,200 nautical miles,
while the upcoming 787-9 Dreamliner will carry 250 - 290 passengers
on routes of 8,000 to 8,500 nautical miles. A third 787 family
member, the 787-3 Dreamliner, will accommodate 290 - 330 passengers
and be optimized for routes of 2,500 to 3,050 nautical miles.
General Electric and Rolls-Royce have developed engines for the
Dreamliner. Advances in engine technology are expected to
contribute as much as 8 percent of the increased efficiency of the
new airplane.