787: Boeing flight test update

Well I'm gleaning news from a few different sources but Boeing released a lot of information on the upcoming flight test program for the 787.

One major take away: Boeing still is sticking with first flight by the end of June, 2009.

First let's see how the work is divided up between the 6 test flight airplanes (this is from Guy Norris' article):

ZA001: aerodynamics and handling characteristics, flutter, stability and controls, low speed testing, check out of the full data system, major systems integration work and check out.

ZA002: test stability and control, autopilot, avionics, propulsion and electric systems.

ZA003: tests of electro-magnetic/high-intensity radiated fields (EME/HIRF), systems, noise, flight deck, ETOPS, avionics and minimum data system.

ZA004: high speed aerodynamic performance, community noise, propulsion, ETOPS and flight loads survey

ZA005: repeat some flutter work because it is the first GEnx-1B powered version, as well as performing stability and control, aerodynamic performance, propulsion, avionics, community noise and ETOPS

ZA006: lightning-specific EME tests, and HIRF, more ETOPS and miscellaneous tests with minimal analog requirements.

First Flight: Flight duration will be anywhere from 3 to 5.5 hours depending on weather and other factors. First flight will fly Dreamliner 1 from Paine Field to Boeing Field where the test flight team is based. There will be no overflight of Seattle on the first flight nor will there be a barrel roll a la 707.

Some other interesting nuggets: 60% of the required paperwork for certification has been completed and submitted to the FAA. Of the 40% remaining less than 10% is using flight test data.

The 787 will be ETOPS certified to 330 minutes and minimum of 207 non ETOPS

43 pilots and 1000 engineers and mechanics will be involved with the 787 flight testing program.

While I was not there there are plenty of media that were and here's where you can link to their reports though I'm also waiting on Jon's report:

Guy Norris (Aviation Week)

Andrea James (Seattle PI)

Everett Herald (Michelle Dunlop)

ATW Online (Aaron Karp)

Flight International (Stephen Trimble)