The 787 test flight fleet seems to be taking a break from flying...at least a few of the airplanes.
ZA001 - is in a pre-certification layup where it is also getting the Wedge 5.5 software upgrade which is already loaded on ZA004 and ZA002. So far it is not scheduled for any flights in the next three weeks.
ZA002 - also in a lay up but I'm not sure for what.
ZA003 - is curently being frozen into an ice cube in warm and sunny Florida.
ZA004 - will continue flying though I'm not sure when it is scheduled to go up next.
Still no word on the TIA though I'm hearing a rumor that it will issued this week.
Showing posts with label Dreamliner 4. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dreamliner 4. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Flightblogger: ZA002 going to So. Cal.
Flightblogger is reporting that ZA002 will fly to Victorville, Ca. this week as part of the 787 flight test program. The Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) is in the high desert of southern California and has a a long 15,000 ft runway and dry weather which would be ideal for Boeing to conduct flight testing.
It is not known when or how long ZA002 will beat Victorville or if other 787s will be joining it but the certification test program has the 787 test fleet making trips away from Boeing Field at times.
Flightblogger : Roadtrip! 787 heading for Victorville this week.
Through today's test flights, the 787 fleet has racked up slightly over 250 test flight hours across the three plane test fleet. ZA00 s expected to return to the air very soon (possibly by the end of this coming week) and ZA003 is expected to take to the air for the first time around March 14th. ZA005 should follow soon after that.
Continuing the roadtrip theme, Guy Norris at Aviation Week is reporting on his blog that Boeing is seriously considering sending the 787 AND the 747-8 to the Farnborough Air Show this summer. It would the first time since 1982 that two new Being Commercial Air products would be featured at the air show. Of course, all this hinges on how well the test program goes for both these airplanes.
Guy Norris: Show Time!
Guy also reports on the upcoming trip for ZA002 to California as well as updates on the rest of the 787 flight test fleet. Of note is that ZA003 will have it's two day gauntlet test this week. This would corroborate a flight test date of March 14 for this airplane.
Guy Norris : 787 Heads South
It is not known when or how long ZA002 will beat Victorville or if other 787s will be joining it but the certification test program has the 787 test fleet making trips away from Boeing Field at times.
Flightblogger : Roadtrip! 787 heading for Victorville this week.
Through today's test flights, the 787 fleet has racked up slightly over 250 test flight hours across the three plane test fleet. ZA00 s expected to return to the air very soon (possibly by the end of this coming week) and ZA003 is expected to take to the air for the first time around March 14th. ZA005 should follow soon after that.
Continuing the roadtrip theme, Guy Norris at Aviation Week is reporting on his blog that Boeing is seriously considering sending the 787 AND the 747-8 to the Farnborough Air Show this summer. It would the first time since 1982 that two new Being Commercial Air products would be featured at the air show. Of course, all this hinges on how well the test program goes for both these airplanes.
Guy Norris: Show Time!
Guy also reports on the upcoming trip for ZA002 to California as well as updates on the rest of the 787 flight test fleet. Of note is that ZA003 will have it's two day gauntlet test this week. This would corroborate a flight test date of March 14 for this airplane.
Guy Norris : 787 Heads South
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Dreamliner 3 to fly around March 14; BCA Chief Talks
Sources have told me that ZA003 should fly (penciled in) around March 14th and Dreamliner 4 should return to the skies within the next one week after installation of more flight test equipment. Meanwhile the 787 test fleet is still racking up the hours with yesterday's test flights pushing the total test flight hours to over 225. Dreamliner 1 go to as fast as 0.96M at 33,000 feet in a test flight conducted on March 3, 2010.
Seattle Times reporter Dominic Gates had a revealing interview with Boeing Commercial Airplane group head Jim Albaugh.
Here's the extended interview:
In it he says Boeing prefers to build its commercial airplanes in the Puget Sound region of Washington State but only if they can get labor peace from IAM and SPEEA. The prospects of labor unrest is what motivated Boeing to locate the second line to Charleston, SC. Also very revealing is that Boeing will now dial down the 787 business model for future aircraft programs and not outsource as much work as they did for the 787. This will include the design, testing and production of the wings. Boeing will return more of the engineering in house for parts of the aircraft such as flight controls, composite fuselage and the wings. The outsourcing was driven more by business decision making rather than engineers making those decisions.
You can read the entire article below:
Dominic Gates' Interview with James Albaugh
Seattle Times reporter Dominic Gates had a revealing interview with Boeing Commercial Airplane group head Jim Albaugh.
Here's the extended interview:
In it he says Boeing prefers to build its commercial airplanes in the Puget Sound region of Washington State but only if they can get labor peace from IAM and SPEEA. The prospects of labor unrest is what motivated Boeing to locate the second line to Charleston, SC. Also very revealing is that Boeing will now dial down the 787 business model for future aircraft programs and not outsource as much work as they did for the 787. This will include the design, testing and production of the wings. Boeing will return more of the engineering in house for parts of the aircraft such as flight controls, composite fuselage and the wings. The outsourcing was driven more by business decision making rather than engineers making those decisions.
You can read the entire article below:
Dominic Gates' Interview with James Albaugh
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Flight Test Review
Boeing Photo
Yesterday was a busy day for Boeing...and this blogger! Boeing has a large staff to keep track of all the flight testing going on but I'm just all by my lonesome trying to keep up with all the events that were going on. So here's a summary plus a little look forward.
ZA001 - Took off yesterday at around 11:42 AM PT and proceeded to fly for about 6 hours easily the longest 787 test flight to date. During that time ZA001 reached speeds of about 0.93M or about 538 knots and as a high as 30,900 ft as this aircraft continues the all important flutter tests ahead of receiving the TIA (Type Inspection Authorization).
ZA002 - Took off yesterday at about 9:11AM PT and only flew for about an hour and twenty minutes. It flew no higher than about 16,000 feet and reached speeds of around 0.54M or about 310 knots. It continues to evaluate the stability and control characteristics of the 787. It landed and Moses Lake and was on the ground for a few hours (presumably conducting ground tests) then took off and flew straight into Boeing Field.
ZA004 - Flew for the first time yesterday morning at about 11:43AM PT yesterday morning and flew directly to 30,000 ft where it would cruise around at speeds of about 0.68M. The airplane flew for about 3 hours which included a touch and go at Moses Lake and then flew directly to Boeing Field in Seattle.
Going forward - I heard that we shouldn't expect ZA003 to be in the air until mid March at the earliest so for the time being we'll be entertained with the flying of Dreamliners 1, 2, and 4. Know I was told that if Boeing readies ZA005 sooner than that would be the next fly because each 787 test airplane is on its own independent assembly and test track. ZA005 does have its GEnx-1B engines installed and the pace to get the airplane ready for its first flight is quickening. It could be that ZA003 and ZA005 could fly at about the same time it all depends on how each of these airplanes progresses through the reassembly process and the pre-flight ground testing that will follow.
For now ZA004 will be conducting some ground tests but will return to the air soon according to Guy Norris and I expect that ZA001 will push out the flutter envelope further in the days to come.
Guy Norris' 787 Update
Randy Tinseth also marked the first flight of ZA004 with a blog post of his own. In it he explained the need to fly Dreamliner 4 because of data that Boeing engineers need to help with the design of the 787-9. I suspect that Boeing will quickly ramp up test flight on ZA004 as quickly as possible.
Randy's Journal - First Flight of ZA004
Boeing Photo
One last note, Boeing and United Airlines jointly announced that they had finalized United's order for 25 787-8. United also has options on a further 50 787s though I'm sure they can switch those options (as well as the firm orders) amongst the different 787 variants (current and future). Here's the joint press release from Boeing and United:
News Release Issued: February 25, 2010 11:04 AM EST
Yesterday was a busy day for Boeing...and this blogger! Boeing has a large staff to keep track of all the flight testing going on but I'm just all by my lonesome trying to keep up with all the events that were going on. So here's a summary plus a little look forward.
ZA001 - Took off yesterday at around 11:42 AM PT and proceeded to fly for about 6 hours easily the longest 787 test flight to date. During that time ZA001 reached speeds of about 0.93M or about 538 knots and as a high as 30,900 ft as this aircraft continues the all important flutter tests ahead of receiving the TIA (Type Inspection Authorization).
ZA002 - Took off yesterday at about 9:11AM PT and only flew for about an hour and twenty minutes. It flew no higher than about 16,000 feet and reached speeds of around 0.54M or about 310 knots. It continues to evaluate the stability and control characteristics of the 787. It landed and Moses Lake and was on the ground for a few hours (presumably conducting ground tests) then took off and flew straight into Boeing Field.
ZA004 - Flew for the first time yesterday morning at about 11:43AM PT yesterday morning and flew directly to 30,000 ft where it would cruise around at speeds of about 0.68M. The airplane flew for about 3 hours which included a touch and go at Moses Lake and then flew directly to Boeing Field in Seattle.
Going forward - I heard that we shouldn't expect ZA003 to be in the air until mid March at the earliest so for the time being we'll be entertained with the flying of Dreamliners 1, 2, and 4. Know I was told that if Boeing readies ZA005 sooner than that would be the next fly because each 787 test airplane is on its own independent assembly and test track. ZA005 does have its GEnx-1B engines installed and the pace to get the airplane ready for its first flight is quickening. It could be that ZA003 and ZA005 could fly at about the same time it all depends on how each of these airplanes progresses through the reassembly process and the pre-flight ground testing that will follow.
For now ZA004 will be conducting some ground tests but will return to the air soon according to Guy Norris and I expect that ZA001 will push out the flutter envelope further in the days to come.
Guy Norris' 787 Update
Randy Tinseth also marked the first flight of ZA004 with a blog post of his own. In it he explained the need to fly Dreamliner 4 because of data that Boeing engineers need to help with the design of the 787-9. I suspect that Boeing will quickly ramp up test flight on ZA004 as quickly as possible.
Randy's Journal - First Flight of ZA004
Boeing PhotoOne last note, Boeing and United Airlines jointly announced that they had finalized United's order for 25 787-8. United also has options on a further 50 787s though I'm sure they can switch those options (as well as the firm orders) amongst the different 787 variants (current and future). Here's the joint press release from Boeing and United:
News Release Issued: February 25, 2010 11:04 AM EST
Boeing and United Airlines Finalize 787 Order
United to expand international service with fuel-efficient Dreamliner
SEATTLE and CHICAGO, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA) have finalized an order for 25 787-8 jetliners. The agreement includes the opportunity to purchase another 50 Dreamliners.
"Boeing and United Airlines share an 80-year partnership," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "United, which launched the Boeing 777, now begins a new chapter with the 787 Dreamliner, the most technologically advanced commercial jetliner ever built."
The order is valued at $4.2 billion at average list prices.
"United's Boeing 787 order represents a substantial investment in our future and will enhance the significant progress we are making in improving the global competitiveness of our company while providing the opportunity to open new profitable markets and serve a broader range of international destinations," said John Tague, president of United Airlines.
United expects to take delivery of the 787s at the same time it will begin to retire its Boeing 747s and 767s operating on international routes.
The 787 Dreamliner, currently in flight test, will provide greater fuel efficiency,
allowing airlines to add new, nonstop city pairs and the additional frequencies that passengers prefer.The 787 also promises a more comfortable flying experience for passengers. Its innovations include a new interior environment with improvements in air filtration, higher cabin pressurization resulting in reduced physical fatigue, larger windows, more stowage space, improved lighting and other passenger-preferred conveniences.
The technologically advanced 787 will also provide airlines with up to 45 percent more cargo revenue capacity.
Including United Airlines, 57 customers around the world have ordered 876 Dreamliners, making the 787 the fastest-selling new commercial jetliner in history.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Boeing Announces ZA004 First Flight
Boeing Photo
This just out from Boeing:
News Release Issued: February 24, 2010 8:57 PM EST
Boeing's ZA004 Joins 787 Flight-Test Program
EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A third airplane has joined the Boeing (NYSE: BA) 787 Dreamliner flight-test program. ZA004, the fourth flight-test airplane to be built, took off at 11:43 a.m. local time from Paine Field in Everett, Wash. The program plan called for ZA004 to fly before ZA003 because the data ZA004 is collecting is needed more quickly both for certification and development of the 787-9.
Captains Heather Ross and Craig Bomben completed a three-hour-and-two-minute flight at 2:45 p.m., landing at Boeing Field in Seattle. Flight-test personnel were also on board to monitor airplane performance.
"Airplane No. 4 operated flawlessly today," Ross said after landing. "We've got a lot of work ahead of us but I can't imagine a better start to the flight test program for this airplane."
Ross will serve as chief pilot for ZA004. This airplane will be used to accomplish the following types of tests: aerodynamics, high-speed performance, propulsion performance, flight loads, community noise and extended operations (ETOPS) and other test conditions.
During today's flight, the airplane reached an altitude of 30,000 feet (9,144 m) and an airspeed of 255 knots, or about 293 miles (472 km) per hour. As the testing of the 787 fleet progresses, the airplane will fly at its expected in-service maximum altitude of 40,000 feet (12,192 m) and speed of Mach 0.85.
"We are continuing to make good progress on the flight test program," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The team is staying focused and disciplined in keeping the priority on safety and execution of the plan."
3 787s in the air today
Matt Cawby's Video of ZA004's first flight:
Special Thanks to Matt Cawby
Video of ZA004 taking off courtesy of Future of Flight Museum:
Boeing has three 787s in the air today though BOE2 (ZA002) has landed at Moses Lake the other 2 ZA001 and ZA004 are still in the air as of 12:15PM. Here are the links for the three flights on Flightaware:
ZA001
ZA002
ZA004
Additonally RC501, the first 747-8 was supposed to be in the air but it is still on the ground at Moses Lake. No reason why but flightaware says it's delayed four hours.
It is hoped that once all the 787s and the 747-8 are all airborne at the same time then there should be a photo shoot with someor all of the airplanes.
RC501
or you can track all the 787s on this link:
787 Flight Test Track
It's a very busy day for Boeing flight test.
Lastly, Flightblogger has a great article dedicated to Dremaliner 4:
Better Know a Dreamliner - Part Three - ZA004
Special Thanks to Matt Cawby
Video of ZA004 taking off courtesy of Future of Flight Museum:
Boeing has three 787s in the air today though BOE2 (ZA002) has landed at Moses Lake the other 2 ZA001 and ZA004 are still in the air as of 12:15PM. Here are the links for the three flights on Flightaware:
ZA001
ZA002
ZA004
Additonally RC501, the first 747-8 was supposed to be in the air but it is still on the ground at Moses Lake. No reason why but flightaware says it's delayed four hours.
It is hoped that once all the 787s and the 747-8 are all airborne at the same time then there should be a photo shoot with someor all of the airplanes.
RC501
or you can track all the 787s on this link:
787 Flight Test Track
It's a very busy day for Boeing flight test.
Lastly, Flightblogger has a great article dedicated to Dremaliner 4:
Better Know a Dreamliner - Part Three - ZA004
ZA004 taxi tests to start soon
UPDATE 2 (11:45 AM ET): Ok lots going on today: RC501 flying out of Moses Lake at 9:25 AM, ZA002 flying out of Boeing Field at 9:40 AM, and finally ZA004 flying out of Everett at 10:00 AM. All times are Pacific Time.
UPDATE (11:36 AM ET): In addition to having 787 ZA004 in the air today at 10:30 AM PT, Boeing will also have 747-8 RC501 in the air about an hour before ZA004 will fly. It will be interesting if they join up later on today for a photoshoot. Here is RC501's flight plan:
RC501 flight plan
According to Guy Norris, ZA004 will start taxi tests soon followed by a 10:30 AM PT departure from Everett. ZA004 entry into flight test is highly anticipated as it will test the high speed performance of the aircraft as well as the fuel efficiency of the aircraft.
Currently ZA004 is equipped with package A Trent 1000s. ZA004 will be equipped with improved Trent 1000 later in the test program. The newer engines will have improved specific fuel consumption over the older version because the Trent 1000 initially were not achieving promised fuel consumption guarantees. Rolls Royce redesigned the low pressure turbine among other changes and improvements and it is now expected that the package B Trent 1000s engines will be closer to fuel consumption specs if not meeting them. There's no word on when the the aircraft will be re-engined but it should be well before the end of the test program as Boeing and Rolls Royce will want to compare fuel consumption improvement on the 787 between the two engine packages. All Trent 1000s going to customers will be delivered with the package B improvements.
Guy Norris : Third 787 Gets Ready To Fly
UPDATE (11:36 AM ET): In addition to having 787 ZA004 in the air today at 10:30 AM PT, Boeing will also have 747-8 RC501 in the air about an hour before ZA004 will fly. It will be interesting if they join up later on today for a photoshoot. Here is RC501's flight plan:
RC501 flight plan
According to Guy Norris, ZA004 will start taxi tests soon followed by a 10:30 AM PT departure from Everett. ZA004 entry into flight test is highly anticipated as it will test the high speed performance of the aircraft as well as the fuel efficiency of the aircraft.
Currently ZA004 is equipped with package A Trent 1000s. ZA004 will be equipped with improved Trent 1000 later in the test program. The newer engines will have improved specific fuel consumption over the older version because the Trent 1000 initially were not achieving promised fuel consumption guarantees. Rolls Royce redesigned the low pressure turbine among other changes and improvements and it is now expected that the package B Trent 1000s engines will be closer to fuel consumption specs if not meeting them. There's no word on when the the aircraft will be re-engined but it should be well before the end of the test program as Boeing and Rolls Royce will want to compare fuel consumption improvement on the 787 between the two engine packages. All Trent 1000s going to customers will be delivered with the package B improvements.
Guy Norris : Third 787 Gets Ready To Fly
Move along, nothing to see here
Boeing's first 787, ZA001 returned to the skies yesterday to the relief of many (both in the program as well as many outside observers). In recent months Boeing has taken measures to be more transparent about BCA's flagship program.
They started a 787 flight test tracking web site, something that Airbus didn't even have when it was conducting the A380 flight tests. Then Boeing had an issue with an uncommanded loss of engine thrust in one of the Rolls Royce Trent 1000 which forced an early termination of one of the flutter test flights on February 19, 2010. Boeing took the extraordinary step of informing the world of the issue and the steps they had taken to resolve the problem. Boeing is taking these steps to not only have more openness about a program that is under such intense scrutiny but to make sure there voice is heard and the wrong information is not decimated via outside bloggers (like myself), media or Wall Street analyst. If Boeing had not been forth coming about the situation then many outside Boeing would have said the that the sky is falling on the 787 program and use the diversion to Moses Lake as proof that Boeing is biting off more than it can chew and the 787 is doomed to failure. Boeing should be commended for improving its transparency of the 787 program.
To be clear this issue seems to be a non event. So much so that Boeing flew ZA001 on a 3 and a half hour flutter test flight yesterday and is planning to fly ZA004 today from Everett to Moses Lake and then on to Boeing Field where it will remain through out the test flight program. There will be issue and squaks but as long as Boeing has a plan to deal with them then it shouldn't impact the test schedule or planned deliveries.
It's time to move on, there's nothing to see over here.
They started a 787 flight test tracking web site, something that Airbus didn't even have when it was conducting the A380 flight tests. Then Boeing had an issue with an uncommanded loss of engine thrust in one of the Rolls Royce Trent 1000 which forced an early termination of one of the flutter test flights on February 19, 2010. Boeing took the extraordinary step of informing the world of the issue and the steps they had taken to resolve the problem. Boeing is taking these steps to not only have more openness about a program that is under such intense scrutiny but to make sure there voice is heard and the wrong information is not decimated via outside bloggers (like myself), media or Wall Street analyst. If Boeing had not been forth coming about the situation then many outside Boeing would have said the that the sky is falling on the 787 program and use the diversion to Moses Lake as proof that Boeing is biting off more than it can chew and the 787 is doomed to failure. Boeing should be commended for improving its transparency of the 787 program.
To be clear this issue seems to be a non event. So much so that Boeing flew ZA001 on a 3 and a half hour flutter test flight yesterday and is planning to fly ZA004 today from Everett to Moses Lake and then on to Boeing Field where it will remain through out the test flight program. There will be issue and squaks but as long as Boeing has a plan to deal with them then it shouldn't impact the test schedule or planned deliveries.
It's time to move on, there's nothing to see over here.
Monday, February 22, 2010
787 back in the air tomorrow; 747-8 returns to the air
According to information I received the in flight anomaly that ZA001 experienced is a non issue and all airplanes will return to flight tomorrow. ZA004 should be in the air as will ZA001 and ZA002 (to continue flutter tests and S & C tests).
RC501 is in the air this evening and should land at Moses Lake where it will be temporarily based for the Initial Airworthiness Flight Tests.
Here are a couple other stories about the recent 747 and 787 events.
Aviation Week : Boeing Probes 787 Engine Issue
Guy Norris also put up an update stating that ZA001 will continue flutter tests tomorrow and ZA002 will fly an stability and control test flight. ZA004 should be flying tomorrow as well as the third 787 to join the test program.
Guy Norris : 787 and 747-8 Updates
Guy Norris : 787 hits engine snag, 747-8 returns to flight
Lastly, Aviation Week linked to an article that really describes the phenomenon of flutter very well. Here's the link for those of you who are interested:
Autopia : 787 Dreamliner Hiccups During Flight Testing
RC501 is in the air this evening and should land at Moses Lake where it will be temporarily based for the Initial Airworthiness Flight Tests.
Here are a couple other stories about the recent 747 and 787 events.
Aviation Week : Boeing Probes 787 Engine Issue
Guy Norris also put up an update stating that ZA001 will continue flutter tests tomorrow and ZA002 will fly an stability and control test flight. ZA004 should be flying tomorrow as well as the third 787 to join the test program.
Guy Norris : 787 and 747-8 Updates
Guy Norris : 787 hits engine snag, 747-8 returns to flight
Lastly, Aviation Week linked to an article that really describes the phenomenon of flutter very well. Here's the link for those of you who are interested:
Autopia : 787 Dreamliner Hiccups During Flight Testing
ZA001 experiences in flight engine power loss
According to Randy Tinseth in a blog post, ZA001 experienced an uncommanded loss of thrust in one of the Trent 1000 engines.
According to Tinseth: "We located replacement parts and then got the parts and the right crew to Moses Lake - beginning the maintenance activity on Saturday. Later that day, we ran the engines to confirm that the replacement had been done correctly and that there were no anomalous readings. So, Sunday morning, we flew home. The airplane is going through the maintenance and pre-flight work that would have been done had it arrived back at Boeing Field on Friday evening. I can tell you that ZA001 will soon return to flutter testing."
Randy Tinseth: ZA001 Status
Randy Tinseth says that the problem was in a pressure sensing unit in the engine. The unit was replaced and tested. ZA001 subsequently flew back to Boeing Field on Sunday afternoon after Boeing and Rolls Royce work through the issue. The aircraft is subject to more testing but it does sound like it was an issue that is not major. Guy Norris writing in his blog at AvWeek said that this may delay ZA004's first flight which is schedule for today as well as a delay for the 6th flutter test to be flown by ZA001 (to be flown today but now will be postponed until further tests are done on the ground). If the flight of Dreamliner 4 is postponed then the photoshoot with RC501 and ZA004 will be delayed until the next most opportune time for Boeing. RC501 should be lifting off at around 9AM this morning (local time) according to Guy where it will fly to Moses Lake where it will be stationed for the next several weeks while it undergoes Initial Airworthiness Flight Tests. Guy also reported that ZA002 will be conducting some taxi tests as part of nose wheel steering tests.
Guy Norris: 787 hits engine snag, 747-8 returns to flight
According to Tinseth: "We located replacement parts and then got the parts and the right crew to Moses Lake - beginning the maintenance activity on Saturday. Later that day, we ran the engines to confirm that the replacement had been done correctly and that there were no anomalous readings. So, Sunday morning, we flew home. The airplane is going through the maintenance and pre-flight work that would have been done had it arrived back at Boeing Field on Friday evening. I can tell you that ZA001 will soon return to flutter testing."
Randy Tinseth: ZA001 Status
Randy Tinseth says that the problem was in a pressure sensing unit in the engine. The unit was replaced and tested. ZA001 subsequently flew back to Boeing Field on Sunday afternoon after Boeing and Rolls Royce work through the issue. The aircraft is subject to more testing but it does sound like it was an issue that is not major. Guy Norris writing in his blog at AvWeek said that this may delay ZA004's first flight which is schedule for today as well as a delay for the 6th flutter test to be flown by ZA001 (to be flown today but now will be postponed until further tests are done on the ground). If the flight of Dreamliner 4 is postponed then the photoshoot with RC501 and ZA004 will be delayed until the next most opportune time for Boeing. RC501 should be lifting off at around 9AM this morning (local time) according to Guy where it will fly to Moses Lake where it will be stationed for the next several weeks while it undergoes Initial Airworthiness Flight Tests. Guy also reported that ZA002 will be conducting some taxi tests as part of nose wheel steering tests.
Guy Norris: 787 hits engine snag, 747-8 returns to flight
Sunday, February 21, 2010
787 and 747 together tomorrow?
Tomorrow, both ZA004 and RC501 (787 and 747-8F) will be flying in the air. The former for the first time and the later for the second time. Now, I'm hearing that both these airplanes may fly in formation tomorrow for an in air photoshoot. ZA004 should be in the air first followed by RC501.
In other test flight news, ZA001 spent the weekend at Moses Lake after landing there on Friday. It flew back to BFI earlier today and reports from Liz Matzelle said that there were people looking at the right engines though I have heard from other sources that there weren't any problems with this airplane. There won't be any test flights today though at least two 787s (ZA002 and ZA004) will be in the air tomorrow as will be RC501 (747-8F).
ZA004 will conduct taxi tests as well as high speed RTO and then will take off tomorrow on it's first test flight. After ZA004 departs, RC501 will take off on its ferry flight to Moses Lake and during that time should link up with ZA004 for the photo op.
In other test flight news, ZA001 spent the weekend at Moses Lake after landing there on Friday. It flew back to BFI earlier today and reports from Liz Matzelle said that there were people looking at the right engines though I have heard from other sources that there weren't any problems with this airplane. There won't be any test flights today though at least two 787s (ZA002 and ZA004) will be in the air tomorrow as will be RC501 (747-8F).
ZA004 will conduct taxi tests as well as high speed RTO and then will take off tomorrow on it's first test flight. After ZA004 departs, RC501 will take off on its ferry flight to Moses Lake and during that time should link up with ZA004 for the photo op.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Flight Test Update
Several sources are reporting that both ZA004 (Dreamliner 4) and the first 747-8F will be flying on Monday, Feb. 22nd.
ZA004 will be the third 787 to fly and will fly on to Boeing Field where it will be based for the remainder of the test flight program with the other 787s. Dreamliner 4 was running a 5 hour mini gauntlet today and may have some taxi tests tomorrow followed by its first flight on Monday. Dreamliner 4 will explore the high speed aerodynamics of the 787 (both S & C and flutter) as well as engines tests at high speeds and some ETOPS testing.
RC501 will also be flying on Monday as it takes to the air for the 2nd time to be ferried to Moses Lake International Airport where it will be based for the Initial Airworthiness flight tests that it has to complete.
ZA004 will be the third 787 to fly and will fly on to Boeing Field where it will be based for the remainder of the test flight program with the other 787s. Dreamliner 4 was running a 5 hour mini gauntlet today and may have some taxi tests tomorrow followed by its first flight on Monday. Dreamliner 4 will explore the high speed aerodynamics of the 787 (both S & C and flutter) as well as engines tests at high speeds and some ETOPS testing.
RC501 will also be flying on Monday as it takes to the air for the 2nd time to be ferried to Moses Lake International Airport where it will be based for the Initial Airworthiness flight tests that it has to complete.
Friday, February 19, 2010
787 Follow Up - Feb. 19th
It looks like Boeing is on track to get Dreamliner 4 in the air by early next week, perhaps around Monday Feb. 22nd. Boeing still has to finish gauntlet testing and conduct taxi tests prior to first flight. Stay tuned on that. Additionally, Dreamliner 3 should be in the air about a week later.
Flightblogger has an article out about the Boeing finalizing the 787-9 in about 4 months from now pending successful completion of the ultimate load test on the 787-8 wing. Both the -8 and the -9 version will share the same wing which means less fuel but Boeing still plans to have greater range with the larger payload for the 787-9 because of weight saving improvements that will be incorporated into the 787 at different block points.
Flightblogger: Boeing to finalize 787-9 in June
Flightblogger has an article out about the Boeing finalizing the 787-9 in about 4 months from now pending successful completion of the ultimate load test on the 787-8 wing. Both the -8 and the -9 version will share the same wing which means less fuel but Boeing still plans to have greater range with the larger payload for the 787-9 because of weight saving improvements that will be incorporated into the 787 at different block points.
Flightblogger: Boeing to finalize 787-9 in June
Dreamliner 4 to start gauntlet testing; Dreamliner fleet exceeds 150 flight hours
Matt Cawby reports in his blog that Dreamliner 4 will start gauntlet testing today (Feb. 19th). This indicates that ZA004 should join the test flight program soon. The question is how soon. Boeing has said that both Dreamliner 3 and Dreamliner 4 will be flying by the end of February.
Matt Cawby's February 18th Post
However, Flightblogger Jon Ostrower reports that Dreamliner 4 should fly around February 21st and Dreamliner 3 should fly around March 2nd. I'm not sure how long Boeing will take for the gauntlet tests but they would have to run some sort of taxi tests before first flight. I'm not sure if Boeing would be able to get her in the air by Sunday but we'll see. I'm more inclined to think that ZA004 will take to the air around the 26th but I have been wrong before.
Flightblogger's 787 Test Flight Program Update
Flightblogger's 787 Month Two Update
Dreamliner 1 and Dreamliner 2 continue flutter tests towards receiving the TIA for the 787. Yesterday, Boeing pushed ZA001 further with speeds hitting 0.88M or a little over 500 knots. The aircraft's cruising speed is about 0.92M so Boeing is certainly building up to that and will be able to do more extensive testing in the high speed regimes once Dreamliner 4 gets into the test flight program. Up through February 18th, the two Dreamliners have accumulated almost 155 hours of flight time spread over 47 flights.
In the two months that the 787s have been flying, Boeing had achieved about 5% of the flight test hours they say that they will fly by the time the aircraft is certified and delivered to ANA. Boeing aims to have about 3,100 flight hours logged by that time between the 6 test flight airplanes. They still have a very long way to go. While the addition of airplanes 3 and 4 to the test flight program will aid immensely in getting more hours logged, I have to wonder if Boeing will be able to achieve their flight hours targets given the pace of flight testing thus far. There has been some delays and some minor squaks that have kept the two Dreamliner's on the ground more than Boeing probably would like but I have been expecting that ZA004 and ZA003 would have been further along compared to where they are now. The two 787s have been flying about 4 to 5 hours on each sortie not the 8 hour average which is what Boeing had indicated that they will be flying. Again time will tell and hopefully Boeing will be able to add on the flight hours with the addition of airplanes 3 and 4.
In other news, Mike Mecham, of Aviation Week broke the news that the first 747-8F to be delivered to a customer was rolled out of the Everett final assembly building (presumably it's in the paint hangar). RC501 should return to the skies shortly. Flightblogger also reported that Vought start manufacturing the first parts for the 747-8I, the newest passenger version of the 747. This airplane should start final assembly around May rolled out late 2010 and have first flight in the first quarter of 2011 with delivery to a VIP customer in the 4th quarter of 2011.
Mike Mecham's Blog Post
Flightblogger: Vought starts 747-8I production
Fleetbuzzeditorial.com : 747-8 Update
Matt Cawby's February 18th Post
However, Flightblogger Jon Ostrower reports that Dreamliner 4 should fly around February 21st and Dreamliner 3 should fly around March 2nd. I'm not sure how long Boeing will take for the gauntlet tests but they would have to run some sort of taxi tests before first flight. I'm not sure if Boeing would be able to get her in the air by Sunday but we'll see. I'm more inclined to think that ZA004 will take to the air around the 26th but I have been wrong before.
Flightblogger's 787 Test Flight Program Update
Flightblogger's 787 Month Two Update
Dreamliner 1 and Dreamliner 2 continue flutter tests towards receiving the TIA for the 787. Yesterday, Boeing pushed ZA001 further with speeds hitting 0.88M or a little over 500 knots. The aircraft's cruising speed is about 0.92M so Boeing is certainly building up to that and will be able to do more extensive testing in the high speed regimes once Dreamliner 4 gets into the test flight program. Up through February 18th, the two Dreamliners have accumulated almost 155 hours of flight time spread over 47 flights.
In the two months that the 787s have been flying, Boeing had achieved about 5% of the flight test hours they say that they will fly by the time the aircraft is certified and delivered to ANA. Boeing aims to have about 3,100 flight hours logged by that time between the 6 test flight airplanes. They still have a very long way to go. While the addition of airplanes 3 and 4 to the test flight program will aid immensely in getting more hours logged, I have to wonder if Boeing will be able to achieve their flight hours targets given the pace of flight testing thus far. There has been some delays and some minor squaks that have kept the two Dreamliner's on the ground more than Boeing probably would like but I have been expecting that ZA004 and ZA003 would have been further along compared to where they are now. The two 787s have been flying about 4 to 5 hours on each sortie not the 8 hour average which is what Boeing had indicated that they will be flying. Again time will tell and hopefully Boeing will be able to add on the flight hours with the addition of airplanes 3 and 4.
In other news, Mike Mecham, of Aviation Week broke the news that the first 747-8F to be delivered to a customer was rolled out of the Everett final assembly building (presumably it's in the paint hangar). RC501 should return to the skies shortly. Flightblogger also reported that Vought start manufacturing the first parts for the 747-8I, the newest passenger version of the 747. This airplane should start final assembly around May rolled out late 2010 and have first flight in the first quarter of 2011 with delivery to a VIP customer in the 4th quarter of 2011.
Mike Mecham's Blog Post
Flightblogger: Vought starts 747-8I production
Fleetbuzzeditorial.com : 747-8 Update
Saturday, February 6, 2010
787 flight tests ramping up and closing on 100 flight hours
Position of ZA001 and ZA002 during flight tests on February 6, 2010 using AirNav Live Flight Tracker 6.0.
Boeing is gradually ramping up the 787 flight test program with the 2 current test flight aircraft in the air simultaneously for the second day in a row. Boeing now has accumulated well over 92 hours of test flight under its belt out of the planned 3,100 hours of flight time needed for testing and certification. Boeing is conducting stability and control tests with both airplanes and are working towards the type inspection authorization which will allow FAA inspectors aboard for the certification flights that would follow the TIA. ZA004 is expected to fire up it Trent 1000s very soon and ZA003 will be conducting deployment tests of the emergency slides. Both airplanes will be flying in the test program within the next 3 weeks.
747-8 Taxi Tests and 787 Flight Tests
UPDATE 4: RC501 has finished taxi tests today but on the last high speed taxi run, smoke apparently developed from the righ hand gear possibly indicating a brake problem. Details are unknown at this time.
UPDATE 3: ZA001 took off at 2:22 PM PST and is flying in eastern Washington State as is ZA002. ZA002 is to the noth of ZA001 at this time.
UPDATE 2: ZA001 will be returning to the air at around 1:5 PM PST. Looks like Boeing is settling into the test program quite nicely. They can surpass 100 787 flight hours either today but most likely tomorrow.
UPDATE: RC501 is performing it's taxi tests on the runways and taxiways of Paine Field this afternoon. Meanwhile ZA002 has departed Boeing Field for another test flight. No word on if ZA001 will be joining her in the air.
Liz Matzelle has a short video up of RC 501 on Everett's runway
RC501 is about to start it's taxi tests. It's about 1 PM in Everett Right now and the aircraft has its engines turning at this moment.
ZA002 is also on deck to make another test flight this afternoon. It was supposed to be up by now but still have no indications of it lifting off.
Through yesterday, Boeing has amassed over 87 flight test hours with both ZA001 and ZA002. Word from Guy Norris is that ZA004 will run its engines for the first time very soon and ZA003 will conduct evac slide deployment tests, also very soon.
Guy Norris
UPDATE 3: ZA001 took off at 2:22 PM PST and is flying in eastern Washington State as is ZA002. ZA002 is to the noth of ZA001 at this time.
UPDATE 2: ZA001 will be returning to the air at around 1:5 PM PST. Looks like Boeing is settling into the test program quite nicely. They can surpass 100 787 flight hours either today but most likely tomorrow.
UPDATE: RC501 is performing it's taxi tests on the runways and taxiways of Paine Field this afternoon. Meanwhile ZA002 has departed Boeing Field for another test flight. No word on if ZA001 will be joining her in the air.
Liz Matzelle has a short video up of RC 501 on Everett's runway
RC501 is about to start it's taxi tests. It's about 1 PM in Everett Right now and the aircraft has its engines turning at this moment.
ZA002 is also on deck to make another test flight this afternoon. It was supposed to be up by now but still have no indications of it lifting off.
Through yesterday, Boeing has amassed over 87 flight test hours with both ZA001 and ZA002. Word from Guy Norris is that ZA004 will run its engines for the first time very soon and ZA003 will conduct evac slide deployment tests, also very soon.
Guy Norris
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Norris and Mecham Update on the 787
Boeing PhotosAviation Week's Mike Mecham and Guy Norris each posted an update on the 787.
Guy Norris reports that ZA001 will return to the skies tomorrow after a planned lay up following completion of the initial airworthiness tests. Boeing will fly the aircraft with test pilots and test engineers abroad the plane. ZA002, which completed a 4 hour and 11 minute flight today, has been flying with test engineers aboard since January 27th.
Tomorrow's flight of ZA001 will be an extended check out flight with some of the new test equipment aboard along with the engineers to operate them and to examine real time data feeds.
The next set of tests is to explore flutter effects at higher speeds and altitudes as well as expansion of the flight envelope beyond 0.65 Mach and 30,0000ft altitude. Once these next set of tests are complete, Boeing expects to receive the TIA (type inspection authorization) by the end of this month which would allow FAA inspectors aboard to observe the certification testing that would follow TIA testing. Thsu far, ZA001 has 59 hours and 15 minutes of flight time with 15 flights and ZA002 has 15 hours and 51 minutes of flight time spread across 5 flights. The test fleet has accumulated 75 hours and 6 minutes of flight time across 20 sorties.
Guy Norris: 787 update - ZA001 set to return tomorrow
Mike Mecham reported from the Singapore Air Show that both ZA004and ZA003 are following their paths to first flight. ZA004 should fly around middle of February while ZA003 should fly at the end of February.
Mike Mecham: ZA004 and ZA003 in the wings
Guy Norris reports that ZA001 will return to the skies tomorrow after a planned lay up following completion of the initial airworthiness tests. Boeing will fly the aircraft with test pilots and test engineers abroad the plane. ZA002, which completed a 4 hour and 11 minute flight today, has been flying with test engineers aboard since January 27th.
Tomorrow's flight of ZA001 will be an extended check out flight with some of the new test equipment aboard along with the engineers to operate them and to examine real time data feeds.
The next set of tests is to explore flutter effects at higher speeds and altitudes as well as expansion of the flight envelope beyond 0.65 Mach and 30,0000ft altitude. Once these next set of tests are complete, Boeing expects to receive the TIA (type inspection authorization) by the end of this month which would allow FAA inspectors aboard to observe the certification testing that would follow TIA testing. Thsu far, ZA001 has 59 hours and 15 minutes of flight time with 15 flights and ZA002 has 15 hours and 51 minutes of flight time spread across 5 flights. The test fleet has accumulated 75 hours and 6 minutes of flight time across 20 sorties.
Guy Norris: 787 update - ZA001 set to return tomorrow
Mike Mecham reported from the Singapore Air Show that both ZA004and ZA003 are following their paths to first flight. ZA004 should fly around middle of February while ZA003 should fly at the end of February.
Mike Mecham: ZA004 and ZA003 in the wings
Monday, January 25, 2010
787 and 747-8 First Flight Update
Flightblogger is reporting that ZA001 should return to the air by the end of the month (I presume he's talking about end of January). He also said that ZA002 should also be back in the air very shortly. This is on top of the news that I learnt this weekend that ZA004 should be in the air by mid Feb. and ZA003 should fly by the end of Feb. In 5 weeks there should be 4 787s flying around.
Also a source has told me that the 747-8F (RC501) should fly on Sunday, Jan. 31st or 6 days from now. I still have no word on how the gauntlet testing went on that airplane. Given that Boeing has an earnings conference call on for this Wednesday, I wouldn't be surprised if they make some sort of announcement around that time about the 747-8 first flight as well as more info on the 787 flight test program.
Also a source has told me that the 747-8F (RC501) should fly on Sunday, Jan. 31st or 6 days from now. I still have no word on how the gauntlet testing went on that airplane. Given that Boeing has an earnings conference call on for this Wednesday, I wouldn't be surprised if they make some sort of announcement around that time about the 747-8 first flight as well as more info on the 787 flight test program.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Dreamliner 4 and Dreamliner 3
I just heard that Dreamliner 4 (ZA004) will fly around Feb. 14th and Dreamliner 3 (ZA003) will fly around the end of Feb.
Friday, January 22, 2010
As the 787 and 747 turns...a round up of 787 and 747 news
Boeing PhotosWell a few tid bits from these two programs came out from the usual suspects and the not so usual suspects.
First off, Bloomberg News had a nice article on the 787's battle of the bulge now that the maximum take off weight is 9.25 tons more than when the program first started. Now we do know that airplane 7, which is built, is the first block point aircraft to incorporate some weight saving measures and Boeing plans to have further weight savings starting with airplane 21. Boeing says that it still plans to meet all performance guarantees made to airlines for the 787 but the performance of the airplane won't be truly known until ZA004 with revised Trent 1000s engines is flying. In addition, Boeing plans to fly ZA100 and ZA102 with the revised engines will be flown to see how the production level aircraft will perform vs the test flight aircraft baseline performance.
Matt Cawby has been great with providing a visual record of the 787 progress in addition to written reports of what is happening at Everett. Last night he got some great video of LN 10 (ZA 103) coming out of the Boeing paint hangar. This airplane was painted white (a white tail) and was towed to the Boeing flight line to wait it's turn for the side of body modification. In addition Matt Cawby got some video of engine runs on ZA002 post fuel tank cleaning. Boeing is trying to get this airplane back in the air as soon as possible. Matt also broke the news of the start of 747-8 gauntlet testing and has further updates in his blog.
Guy Norris posted an update on both the 787 and 747. Currently ZA001 is in a plan lay up at Boeing Field to have more test flight equipment installed, calibrated and tested before continuing flight tests with flight test engineers aboard. ZA002 is continuing to have it's engines runs (see Matt Cawby's video) at Everett before rejoining the test program but I have to assume that all the test equipment testing and re-calibration work is complete and it should be a matter of days until this airplane is flying again for certification and TIA purposes. ZA004 is still getting ready for it's first flight but before then Boeing is conducting test of the emergency escape slides. Guy also has a nice update on the 747-8 confirming the the start of gauntlet testing and saying that taxi tests could occur late next week after safety of flight tests then followed by first flight around January 31st or February 1st.
As I mentioned earlier in this post, Matt Cawby got video of LN 10 (4th production 787) being pulled out of the Boeing paint hangar. This aircraft was painted all white. It was assumed, prior to yesterday that this airplane would be going to ANA and thus it should have been painted in the colors of ANA like the previous three production airplanes. But Flightblogger, Jon Ostrower, broke the news yesterday that this plane and airplane 16 will be delivered to LAN Airlines. Airplane 10 is probably painted as a white tail pending confirmation of the slot swap between ANA and LAN. Flightblogger revealed that the weight savings on airplanes 7 through 20 will come from changes in the wing skin but that after airplane 20 the 787 will have a higher MTOW (maximum take off weight). The increase in MTOW is on the order of about 9.25 tons which is what Bloomberg had reported.
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