Evidence of Boeing's increasing confidence of the maturity of the 787 systems and architecture is leading the company to push up testing of the systems of the aircraft and even shorten the gauntlet testing that is needed before first flight according to Jon Ostrower.
Jon quoted Scott Francher, VP and general manager of the 787 program saying that intermediate gauntlet testing is due to start in about two weeks but due to the maturity of the systems this testing would last about 7 days instead of 8 days. Intermediate testing involves running the engines 24 hours a day for 7 straight days and subjecting the 787 to simulated failures and challenges and observing the reactions.
Also some of the final gauntlet testing will be now moved into intermediate testing further demonstrating the maturity of the 787 systems.
Much of this maturity came about becuase of extensive systems integration testing in the Boeing labs during the production delays of the last two years.
Recently Jojn reported that the engines were run at various times on Thursday at times to 80% of thrust. Flight control hyrdaulics systems tests were conducted as well as the VHF/HF radio tests. Today (Friday) higher power tests were to be conducted.
Jon's Road to 787 First Flight Update - May 22nd
Friday, May 22, 2009
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3 comments:
I see in your post that the engines are run continuously for seven days.This is far beyond the normal capacity of the engine oil tank so how do they cater for this?
(an engine would run for 2-3 days on one tank)
The same question regarding the fuel
Do you know which part of the final gauntlet is being shifted over to the intermediate gauntlet?
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