Sat, Nov 14, 2009
Side-of-Body Installations Complete On First Dreamliner
Boeing has completed installing reinforcements within the
side-of-body section on the first 787 Dreamliner.
The modification entails installing new fittings at 34 stringer
locations within the joint where the wing is attached to the
fuselage. Installations were completed Wednesday.
Boeing expects to complete the installations on the static test
airframe and the second flight-test airplane in the coming
days.
"Completing this work is a significant step toward first flight.
We continue to be pleased with the progress of the team and remain
confident the first flight of the 787 Dreamliner will occur before
the end of the year," said Scott Fancher, vice president and
general manager of the 787 program. "We will test the modification
on the full-scale static test airframe later this month. As soon as
we confirm the loads are being handled appropriately in the joint
we will complete preflight activities on the airplane."
Once the modification is complete on the static test airframe,
it will be refitted with strain gauges and instrumentation required
for testing. Access doors, systems, seals and fasteners removed
from airplane No. 1 to provide access are being restored in
preparation for continued testing on the airplane. Boeing continues
to install fittings on the fatigue test airframe and the remaining
flight-test airplanes. Other airplanes will be modified in the
weeks ahead. Overall, the work on modifying airplanes is
progressing well, Fancher said.
"We have a strong and capable team that has performed
exceptionally well," Fancher said. "I'm very pleased with the
team's dedication to meet our commitment to fly before the end of
the year."
After airplane No. 1 is restored, the flight-test team will
perform another set of gauntlet and taxi tests to ensure that all
systems are ready for flight. Fancher noted that with the exception
of a single high-speed taxi test, all remaining first flight
activities have been successfully completed on the first
flight-test airplane.
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