Boeing continues to fly the 787 test flight fleet aggressively as it attempts to certify the Roll Royce Trent 1000 powered 787 by the end of November for delivery in December to ANA. Thus far the test flight hours are over 1,400 hours with the half way mark (1,550 hours) in sight. I project that Boeing should be at the half way mark by mid August if not earlier. They still need to be very aggressive with the test flights in order to get to the certification goal by late November which is less than four months away. The Rolls Royce powered fleet has amassed over 1,300 flight hours (they are targeting 2,430 hours). The sole GE powered aircraft has also been flying quite a bit in order to get the GEnx-1B powered airplanes into customer hands in early 2011. The majority of 787 customers, thus far, have elected the GEnx-1B engines on the 787. ZA005 has racked up just under 110 flight hours. ZA006 is not expected to join the test flight program until early September. It should be rolled out to the flight line in about 1 week (August 9th is what I'm hearing) where it will undergo preflight ground testing. Sources confirmed that ZA006 is still inside ATS Hangar 3.
Production has slowed a bit though. ZA231 was supposed to have started final assembly in late July is now pushed back to August 9th. Meanwhile ZA103 emerged from the temporary tent hangar on the Boeing flightline and was taken to the ATS Hangar to presumably finish up reassembly tasks. ZA104 has been moved into the spot just vacated ZA103 and is starting it's side of body modifications. ZA115 was taken out of the ATS Hangar and is now on the Boeing flightline with many of the other 787s for ANA. Boeing will be slowing down assembly activities in September to allow the supply chain to catch up and reduce travelled work flowing into Everett.
September should bring some changes though with ZA004 expected to receive improved Trent-1000 (the "package B") with better fuel burn. That would take ZA004 out of flight test for some time while they install and ground test the engines on the aircraft. I would expect that the first production 787s should start getting their engines and interiors around October-November time frame and start flight tests soon after that.
Showing posts with label ZA115. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ZA115. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
787 Production Movement
Boeing is preparing to restart final assembly on the 787s by June 14th but until then there will be movement of currently assembled airframes around Paine Field.
To start ZA006 the last test flight aircraft and the second to be equipped with the GEnx-1B engines will be pulled out of building 40-24 tomorrow night and taken out to the Boeing flightline to be prepared for its first flight expected around July 13th.
ZA100 (LN 7) will be moved out of building 40-26 on Sunday June 13th and will be placed inside 40-24.
After the line move ZA101 will occupy position 4, ZA102 will occupy position 3 and ZA115 (LN 22) will be moved to position 2 all inside building 40-26. This will make room at position 1 for ZA177 (LN 23) to start final assembly on June 14th.
ZA005 will conduct its first flight on June 16th and will create on empty spot on the flightline (their going to need it)
After a couple of weeks, there will be another line move with ZA101 being moved to 40-24 on June 27th. The aircraft that are in 40-26 will be moved one position to make room for ZA116 (LN 24) to start final assembly on June 28th.
After about another two weeks there will be another move with ZA102 being moved out directly to the flightline on July 12th. On July 13th ZA230 (LN 25) will start final assembly.
Interestingly when Boeing put the temporary halt into effect ZA175 and ZA176 were moved into the ATS Hangar and they will remain there. The aircraft are not finished and I think Boeing will probably finish them at ATS.
Lastly, all the completed 787s and 747-8 are going out to the flightline without engines and interiors. This is so Boeing will not have to pay the suppliers for these items until they're needed to be installed which is closer to their first flight dates.
To start ZA006 the last test flight aircraft and the second to be equipped with the GEnx-1B engines will be pulled out of building 40-24 tomorrow night and taken out to the Boeing flightline to be prepared for its first flight expected around July 13th.
ZA100 (LN 7) will be moved out of building 40-26 on Sunday June 13th and will be placed inside 40-24.
After the line move ZA101 will occupy position 4, ZA102 will occupy position 3 and ZA115 (LN 22) will be moved to position 2 all inside building 40-26. This will make room at position 1 for ZA177 (LN 23) to start final assembly on June 14th.
ZA005 will conduct its first flight on June 16th and will create on empty spot on the flightline (their going to need it)
After a couple of weeks, there will be another line move with ZA101 being moved to 40-24 on June 27th. The aircraft that are in 40-26 will be moved one position to make room for ZA116 (LN 24) to start final assembly on June 28th.
After about another two weeks there will be another move with ZA102 being moved out directly to the flightline on July 12th. On July 13th ZA230 (LN 25) will start final assembly.
Interestingly when Boeing put the temporary halt into effect ZA175 and ZA176 were moved into the ATS Hangar and they will remain there. The aircraft are not finished and I think Boeing will probably finish them at ATS.
Lastly, all the completed 787s and 747-8 are going out to the flightline without engines and interiors. This is so Boeing will not have to pay the suppliers for these items until they're needed to be installed which is closer to their first flight dates.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Boeing suspends 787 shipments for one month
Boeing has halted 787 part inflows into Everett for one month to allow its supplier partners to catch up on work on which they had fallen behind. The halt is to last 24 production days (4 full weeks plus 4 full days which will allow the suppliers to catch up to work for the follow on airplanes starting with LN 23 for JAL. There is some part shortages as well as some engineering changes that the suppliers have incorporated but need more time to fully get up to speed on them.
Work will continue on all the airplanes at Everett though so there won't any slow down of the pace of work there. LN 19 through LN 22 are in various phases of production with LN 22 just starting the final assembly process. Thus far all the planned deliveries are unaffected as Boeing has some production schedule margin built in.
Flightblogger, HeraldNet and the Seattle PI have stories on this late breaking news:
Breaking: Boeing halting 787 deliveries to Everett until June
Boeing 787 suppliers play catch up; Dreamliner work in Everett continues
Boeing holding 787 Dreamliner section shipments for 24 days
In a related story, a local Seattle TV station, King 5 News, says that Boeing is filling up the Everett flightline with built 787s that won't be able to be delivered until the certification is achieved. They are starting to run out of room at Everett an will soon store them at parking spots all around Everett Field including new the Future of Flight Museum.
Boeing problem: Too many 787s, not enough room
Lastly, a 747-8 breaking story. I was told earlier this evening that Boeing is now going to have a fourth 747-8F join the flight test program. The decision was just recently made. Boeing will now use LN 1424 (2nd production 747-8F, RC502) for test flights. This aircraft won't be equipped with test flight instrumentation and will conduct engineering test flights. No word on when it will join the test flight fleet. Currently it is parked out on the Everett flightline and is unpainted.
Work will continue on all the airplanes at Everett though so there won't any slow down of the pace of work there. LN 19 through LN 22 are in various phases of production with LN 22 just starting the final assembly process. Thus far all the planned deliveries are unaffected as Boeing has some production schedule margin built in.
Flightblogger, HeraldNet and the Seattle PI have stories on this late breaking news:
Breaking: Boeing halting 787 deliveries to Everett until June
Boeing 787 suppliers play catch up; Dreamliner work in Everett continues
Boeing holding 787 Dreamliner section shipments for 24 days
In a related story, a local Seattle TV station, King 5 News, says that Boeing is filling up the Everett flightline with built 787s that won't be able to be delivered until the certification is achieved. They are starting to run out of room at Everett an will soon store them at parking spots all around Everett Field including new the Future of Flight Museum.
Boeing problem: Too many 787s, not enough room
Lastly, a 747-8 breaking story. I was told earlier this evening that Boeing is now going to have a fourth 747-8F join the flight test program. The decision was just recently made. Boeing will now use LN 1424 (2nd production 747-8F, RC502) for test flights. This aircraft won't be equipped with test flight instrumentation and will conduct engineering test flights. No word on when it will join the test flight fleet. Currently it is parked out on the Everett flightline and is unpainted.
Friday, April 23, 2010
News from around the 787 world
As the weekend approaches I'm finding out that ZA115 (LN 22) will start final assembly on Monday, April 26th. In advance of that ZA150 (LN 17) the first 787 for Royal Air Maroc was pulled out of the paint hangar and is now on the Everett Flightline at spot 102. I'm hoping to get some pictures soon. It will be the first 787 painted in a livery other than ANA.
There will be a line move presumably this weekend with ZA108 (LN 18) going to the paint hangar to be painted in the livery of ANA and thus making room for the airline's next airplane (ZA115).
In flight test news, I'm hearing that ZA002 should return to the air in about one week and ZA001 should be flying in about 2 weeks. ZA004 is doing some ground tests and should fly tonight or tomorrow.
UPDATE!! The Seattle PI has a great picture (with more to come) of the first 787 painted for Royal Air Maroc. Special thanks to Aubrey Cohen and the Seattle PI for the shout out!
Seattle PI: First Boeing 787 Dreamliner for Royal Air Maroc out in Everett
Matt Cawby has a great picture of the RAM 787 on the ramp at Everett. Click HERE for the pic.
Liz Matzelle posted some wonderful pictures from Paine Field this afternoon Check it out HERE
Current 787 Production and Disposition Tracker
There will be a line move presumably this weekend with ZA108 (LN 18) going to the paint hangar to be painted in the livery of ANA and thus making room for the airline's next airplane (ZA115).
In flight test news, I'm hearing that ZA002 should return to the air in about one week and ZA001 should be flying in about 2 weeks. ZA004 is doing some ground tests and should fly tonight or tomorrow.
UPDATE!! The Seattle PI has a great picture (with more to come) of the first 787 painted for Royal Air Maroc. Special thanks to Aubrey Cohen and the Seattle PI for the shout out!
Seattle PI: First Boeing 787 Dreamliner for Royal Air Maroc out in Everett
Matt Cawby has a great picture of the RAM 787 on the ramp at Everett. Click HERE for the pic.
Liz Matzelle posted some wonderful pictures from Paine Field this afternoon Check it out HERE
Current 787 Production and Disposition Tracker
Monday, April 12, 2010
787 and 747-8 Update - April 12, 2010
This past weekend it was expected that Boeing was to fly all four 787 (ZA001, ZA002, ZA003, and ZA004). Both Guy Norris and Flightblogger reported this. This would have marked the first time that all four test airplanes would have flown and hopefully it will allow Boeing to start accumulating more test flight hours. Unfortunately, only ZA001 flew during this past weekend.
According to Guy Norris, ZA002 flight that was expected to take place on Saturday is now scheduled to fly on Monday, April 12th as Boeing wanted to conduct more ground tests on the aircraft which has new flight control software installed. It is flight testing of this new version of the software that will allow the FAA to issue the TIA (Type Inspection Authorization) and allow certification flight testing to proceed. The TIA was expected at the end of March and that was delayed from mid February. If the TIA is issued by the middle of April then the 787 program would have lost an additional 1/2 month of schedule margin.
ZA003 second flight was to have taken place yesterday, April 11th but it did not fly. The reason is unknown but this test flights are to signal the start of environmental control systems testing on board that aircraft as well as testing other systems on the aircraft including the RAM air systems.
ZA004 is going into a planned layup and will not fly until the end of April at the earliest. ZA001 is finishing up the last of stability and control flight tests and will now focus on low speed performance flight testing.
According to my accounting, The Boeing test fleet has accumulated almost 460 test flight hours as of April 11th. On April 9th, ZA004 flew the longest 787 test flight to date which is 6 hours and 40 minutes.
Flightblogger also reported on a potential problem with stringers in the rear of the 747-8 upper lobe (hump). The flange of the stringers may be to thin to handle the loads and thus would need to be replaced. Boeing and Vought (contractor) are studying the issue which may need to be resolved by replacing the stringers in question, a costly and time consuming process. Flightblogger says that the 747-8 in the test flight program would continue test flight under restrictions on their g-loads but they would continue. He says that the 747-8 is now entering flutter testing. So far I've show that the 747-8 program has accumulated just under 108 flight hours through April 11th. Flightblogger says that Boeing is thinking about using on of the production aircraft to augment the 747-8 test fleet. This aircraft would not be instrumented for the test flight program like the other three aircraft are but would perform engineering flight tests. The aircraft under consideration is RC503 which is the second production aircraft and is currently in the paint hangar at Everett.
Read Guy's and Jon's articles here:
Flightblogger: 747-8F begins flutter testing as stringers get inspected (and other 787 items)
Guy Norris: Big Weekend for 787
Guy Norris: 787 Update
Now speaking of structural strength, Daniel Tsang of Airways Aviation News put out an interesting article on the side of body fix on the 787. As some of you may know, Boeing had to fix the side of body area due to that area being too weak to handle flight loads. The fix has been installed on 9 air frames and needs to be installed on another 8. All 787s going forward would have the side of body fix installed at the sub contractor prior to delivery to Everett though there would be some installation work to be done on the final assembly line prior to the wing-body join. It is expected that starting with LN 49, the parts that strengthen the side of body would not be needed as Boeing and it sub contractors would have redesigned those areas of the aircraft (the wing box and the center wing box) that would provide the additional strength needed and the installation of the parts would not be necessary. Daniel Tsang is reporting that the use of the parts that provide the reinforcement to the side of body would be a permanent solution though Boeing is looking to simply the production and installation of the parts by tweaking the design. You can read Daniel's article:
Daniel Tsang: Boeing looking at ways to simplify side-of-body modification
Production
Boeing is continuing to make its production milestones. ZA175 (LN 20) started final assembly on March 31st. This aircraft is a major milestone as it introduce a major blockpoint change which incorporates weight saving measures into the 787. ZA531 (LN 16) which is the second 787 for LAN came out of the paint shop painted all white (not in LAN color scheme as had been expected). Today there will be a line move as ZA176 (LN 21) will start final assembly. ZA150 (LN 17), the first aircraft for Royal Air Maroc, will be moved into the paint hangar though I don't know if it'll be painted in RAM colors. There will be another line move on April 26th when ZA115 (LN 22) will start final assembly. At that pace Boeing will be assembling 787s at a 2.5 per month clip which is what they had been expecting. I expect that Boeing will start final assembly on ZA177 (LN 23) and ZA116 (LN 24) in May.
According to Guy Norris, ZA002 flight that was expected to take place on Saturday is now scheduled to fly on Monday, April 12th as Boeing wanted to conduct more ground tests on the aircraft which has new flight control software installed. It is flight testing of this new version of the software that will allow the FAA to issue the TIA (Type Inspection Authorization) and allow certification flight testing to proceed. The TIA was expected at the end of March and that was delayed from mid February. If the TIA is issued by the middle of April then the 787 program would have lost an additional 1/2 month of schedule margin.
ZA003 second flight was to have taken place yesterday, April 11th but it did not fly. The reason is unknown but this test flights are to signal the start of environmental control systems testing on board that aircraft as well as testing other systems on the aircraft including the RAM air systems.
ZA004 is going into a planned layup and will not fly until the end of April at the earliest. ZA001 is finishing up the last of stability and control flight tests and will now focus on low speed performance flight testing.
According to my accounting, The Boeing test fleet has accumulated almost 460 test flight hours as of April 11th. On April 9th, ZA004 flew the longest 787 test flight to date which is 6 hours and 40 minutes.
Flightblogger also reported on a potential problem with stringers in the rear of the 747-8 upper lobe (hump). The flange of the stringers may be to thin to handle the loads and thus would need to be replaced. Boeing and Vought (contractor) are studying the issue which may need to be resolved by replacing the stringers in question, a costly and time consuming process. Flightblogger says that the 747-8 in the test flight program would continue test flight under restrictions on their g-loads but they would continue. He says that the 747-8 is now entering flutter testing. So far I've show that the 747-8 program has accumulated just under 108 flight hours through April 11th. Flightblogger says that Boeing is thinking about using on of the production aircraft to augment the 747-8 test fleet. This aircraft would not be instrumented for the test flight program like the other three aircraft are but would perform engineering flight tests. The aircraft under consideration is RC503 which is the second production aircraft and is currently in the paint hangar at Everett.
Read Guy's and Jon's articles here:
Flightblogger: 747-8F begins flutter testing as stringers get inspected (and other 787 items)
Guy Norris: Big Weekend for 787
Guy Norris: 787 Update
Now speaking of structural strength, Daniel Tsang of Airways Aviation News put out an interesting article on the side of body fix on the 787. As some of you may know, Boeing had to fix the side of body area due to that area being too weak to handle flight loads. The fix has been installed on 9 air frames and needs to be installed on another 8. All 787s going forward would have the side of body fix installed at the sub contractor prior to delivery to Everett though there would be some installation work to be done on the final assembly line prior to the wing-body join. It is expected that starting with LN 49, the parts that strengthen the side of body would not be needed as Boeing and it sub contractors would have redesigned those areas of the aircraft (the wing box and the center wing box) that would provide the additional strength needed and the installation of the parts would not be necessary. Daniel Tsang is reporting that the use of the parts that provide the reinforcement to the side of body would be a permanent solution though Boeing is looking to simply the production and installation of the parts by tweaking the design. You can read Daniel's article:
Daniel Tsang: Boeing looking at ways to simplify side-of-body modification
Production
Boeing is continuing to make its production milestones. ZA175 (LN 20) started final assembly on March 31st. This aircraft is a major milestone as it introduce a major blockpoint change which incorporates weight saving measures into the 787. ZA531 (LN 16) which is the second 787 for LAN came out of the paint shop painted all white (not in LAN color scheme as had been expected). Today there will be a line move as ZA176 (LN 21) will start final assembly. ZA150 (LN 17), the first aircraft for Royal Air Maroc, will be moved into the paint hangar though I don't know if it'll be painted in RAM colors. There will be another line move on April 26th when ZA115 (LN 22) will start final assembly. At that pace Boeing will be assembling 787s at a 2.5 per month clip which is what they had been expecting. I expect that Boeing will start final assembly on ZA177 (LN 23) and ZA116 (LN 24) in May.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Keep the line moving........
Now that Boeing is well into flight testing let's see how production is coming along on future 787s. As always, readers can scroll down to the bottom of this blog to see where the 787s are from ZA001 to the aircraft that is just starting it's assembly at Everett.
Currently inside building 40-26 there are 4 787s in various stages of assembly. LN 14 is at position 4 and LN 17 has just started final assembly. LN 18, a 787 destined for ANA is the next one and will start final assembly on March 1st after a line pulse on February 28th. Airplane 14 will move to the paint hangar at that time and airplane 13 (for ANA) will be moved out to the Boeing flightline.
Around the middle of March, it is expected that airplane 9 (also for ANA) will complete its side of body mods in the flightline tent and be moved to building 40-24 to occupy a spot that is currently taken up by LN 5. LN 5 will be moved outside to the Everett flightline and LN 10 (for LAN) will be moved into the flightline test for side of body mods.
Looking a little forward, Boeing will be looking to assembly airplanes 19 (for Royal Air Maroc) and 20 (for Japan Airlines) in March
Currently inside building 40-26 there are 4 787s in various stages of assembly. LN 14 is at position 4 and LN 17 has just started final assembly. LN 18, a 787 destined for ANA is the next one and will start final assembly on March 1st after a line pulse on February 28th. Airplane 14 will move to the paint hangar at that time and airplane 13 (for ANA) will be moved out to the Boeing flightline.
Around the middle of March, it is expected that airplane 9 (also for ANA) will complete its side of body mods in the flightline tent and be moved to building 40-24 to occupy a spot that is currently taken up by LN 5. LN 5 will be moved outside to the Everett flightline and LN 10 (for LAN) will be moved into the flightline test for side of body mods.
Looking a little forward, Boeing will be looking to assembly airplanes 19 (for Royal Air Maroc) and 20 (for Japan Airlines) in March
Monday, January 18, 2010
Boeing Complete 787 Inital Airworthiness Testing
Ok I've been out for the last couple of days so I'm going to start out with old news. Boeing said, in a press release on Friday, January 15, 2010, that it has completed initial airworthiness tests on the 787. The main thrust of this announcement is two fold:
Flightblogger posted a great update reviewing the previous months' flight test progress as well as reviewing the status of the aircraft that have been built thus far. Here's a synopsis of the aircraft status:
ZA001/LN1 : At Boeing Field undergoing flight tests
ZA002/LN2: At Paine Field for aqueous tank wash
ZA003/LN3: At Paine Field undergoing preparations for its first flight in February
ZA004/LN4: At Paine Field fuel dock undergoing preparations for its first flight in February
ZA005/LN5: At Paine Field ATS Hangar undergoing side of body modifications
ZA006/LN6: At Paine Field ATS Hangar undergoing side of body modifications
ZA100/LN7: At Paine Field flightline awaiting side of body modifications
ZA101/LN8: At Paine Field flightline awaiting side of body modifications
ZA102/LN9: At Paine Field inside temporary hangar undergoing side of body modifications
ZA103/LN10: At Paine Field undergoing painting
ZA104/LN11: At Paine Field building 40-24
ZA105/LN12: At Paine Field undergoing final assembly
ZA115/LN13: At Paine Field undergoing final assembly
ZA116/LN14: At Paine Field undergoing final assembly
ZA117/LN15: At Paine Field undergoing final assembly
Parts for airplane 16 are starting to arrive into Everett. This airplane is the first to be assembled that will not require the side of body modifications. Lastly, Flightblogger reports that when parts for airplane 17 arrives it'll be for for Royal Air Maroc powered by GEnx engines.
787 Flight Test Update: Month One
Guy Norris had a nice synopsis of the 787 program on his blog as well. In it he said that ZA001 is going to be taking a breather while it undergoes checks. The airplane has not flown since January 14th.
Guy Norris: 787 completes initial airworthiness testing
- The 787 is safe to fly with more than just the pilot and co-pilot aboard. Now Boeing's flight test engineers can also fly aboard to monitor tests
- The 787 flight envelope can now be expanded beyond the what has already been tested thus far.
Here's Boeing's Press Release:
News Release Issued: January 15, 2010 5:28 PM ESTAs always, the other follows of the 787 program weighed in with their postings and here is a rundown of this weekends commentary.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner Achieves Initial Airworthiness Milestone
EVERETT, Wash., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) has completed initial airworthiness testing on the 787 Dreamliner. This milestone will enable more crew members to take part in flights and will allow more airplanes to join the flight test program.
"This is an important step forward," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are very pleased with the results we have achieved so far. The airplane has been performing as we expected."
Since the first flight in mid-December, the program has conducted 15 flights, achieving several key accomplishments. Pilots have taken the airplane to an altitude of 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) and a speed of Mach 0.65. Nearly 60 hours of flying have been completed. Initial stall tests and other dynamic maneuvers have been run, as well as an extensive check-out of the airplane's systems. Six different pilots have been behind the controls of the 787.
In the weeks ahead, the team will continue to expand the flight envelope at which the 787 will operate to reach an altitude of more than 40,000 feet (12,192 meters) and a speed of Mach 0.85. Subsequent testing will push the airplane beyond expected operational conditions.
"The pilots have told me the results we are seeing in flight match their expectations and the simulations we've run. That's a real tribute to Boeing's expertise and the international team that helped develop and build the airplane," said Fancher.
Flight testing will continue in the months ahead. First delivery is planned for the fourth quarter of this year.
Flightblogger posted a great update reviewing the previous months' flight test progress as well as reviewing the status of the aircraft that have been built thus far. Here's a synopsis of the aircraft status:
ZA001/LN1 : At Boeing Field undergoing flight tests
ZA002/LN2: At Paine Field for aqueous tank wash
ZA003/LN3: At Paine Field undergoing preparations for its first flight in February
ZA004/LN4: At Paine Field fuel dock undergoing preparations for its first flight in February
ZA005/LN5: At Paine Field ATS Hangar undergoing side of body modifications
ZA006/LN6: At Paine Field ATS Hangar undergoing side of body modifications
ZA100/LN7: At Paine Field flightline awaiting side of body modifications
ZA101/LN8: At Paine Field flightline awaiting side of body modifications
ZA102/LN9: At Paine Field inside temporary hangar undergoing side of body modifications
ZA103/LN10: At Paine Field undergoing painting
ZA104/LN11: At Paine Field building 40-24
ZA105/LN12: At Paine Field undergoing final assembly
ZA115/LN13: At Paine Field undergoing final assembly
ZA116/LN14: At Paine Field undergoing final assembly
ZA117/LN15: At Paine Field undergoing final assembly
Parts for airplane 16 are starting to arrive into Everett. This airplane is the first to be assembled that will not require the side of body modifications. Lastly, Flightblogger reports that when parts for airplane 17 arrives it'll be for for Royal Air Maroc powered by GEnx engines.
787 Flight Test Update: Month One
Guy Norris had a nice synopsis of the 787 program on his blog as well. In it he said that ZA001 is going to be taking a breather while it undergoes checks. The airplane has not flown since January 14th.
Guy Norris: 787 completes initial airworthiness testing
Finally, Innovation Analysis Group, had a great Podcast featuring Jon Ostrower (Flightblogger) and Guy Norris.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Where are the 787s in the New Year?
Future of Flight PhotoNow that the 787 flight test program is well underway, let's update where the fleet is.
LN1 (ZA001) Boeing Flight Test Center, Boeing Field - in flight test
LN2 (ZA002) Boeing Flight Test Center, Boeing Field - in flight test
LN 3 (ZA003) Boeing Paint Hangar, Paine Field (completed Side of Body modifications undergoing fuel tank aqueous wash and painting)
LN 4 (ZA004) Building 40-24, Paine Field (Completed Side of Body modifications, undergoing reassembly after fuel tank aqueous wash and painting)
LN 5 (ZA005) In ATS Hangar
LN 6 (ZA006) In ATS Hangar
LN 7 (ZA100) Boeing Everett Flightline awaiting side of body modification
LN 8 (ZA101) Boeing Everett Flightline awaiting side of body modification
LN 9 (ZA102) Boeing Everett Flightline awaiting side of body modification
LN 10 (ZA103) Building 40-24, Paine Field awaiting side of body modification
LN 11 (ZA104) Building 40-26, position 4 undergoing final assembly
LN 12 (ZA105) Building 40-26, position 3 undergoing final assembly
LN 13 (ZA115) Building 40-26, position 2 undergoing final assembly
LN 14 (ZA116) Building 40-26, position 1 undergoing final assembly
LN 15 (ZA117) Building 40-26, position 0 parts arriving in preparation for Final Assembly
Monday, December 14, 2009
End of the long road for the 787
Tomorrow, weather permitting, the 787 will end an a very long and painful road to first flight. I'll try to keep tabs tomorrow on progress of the weather as it relates to first flight.
Boeing will stream the 787 first flight live on it's web site as well as the newairplane.com web site. But in the meantime, Randy Tinseth, speaking for Boeing on his blog says:
Let's Go!
Great sentiment that is obviously shared! In the meantime Flightblogger has put up a new post describing, in excellent detail, the taxi tests that occurred on Saturday as well as the progress to date as well as a second post describing the test flight regime that ZA001 will be undertaking over the next few months. ZA001 apparently has been fueled for it's first flight.
Read Flightblogger's reports:
Better Know a Dreamliner - Part One - ZA001
ZA001 stretches its legs
Additionally, ZA002 (Dreamliner 2) is progressing towards it's first flight with gear swing tests.
Liz Matzelle captured some great video of this gear swing test:
It's official: 787's First Flight is Tuesday
Boeing Sets Long-Awaited 787 First Flight
Boeing will stream the 787 first flight live on it's web site as well as the newairplane.com web site. But in the meantime, Randy Tinseth, speaking for Boeing on his blog says:
Let's Go!
Great sentiment that is obviously shared! In the meantime Flightblogger has put up a new post describing, in excellent detail, the taxi tests that occurred on Saturday as well as the progress to date as well as a second post describing the test flight regime that ZA001 will be undertaking over the next few months. ZA001 apparently has been fueled for it's first flight.
Read Flightblogger's reports:
Better Know a Dreamliner - Part One - ZA001
ZA001 stretches its legs
Additionally, ZA002 (Dreamliner 2) is progressing towards it's first flight with gear swing tests.
Liz Matzelle captured some great video of this gear swing test:
ZA002 Gear Swing Tests from Liz Matzelle on Vimeo.
Dreamliner 9 is heading to the paint shop at Everett. LN 10 through LN 13, as far as I know, are still in building 40-26 going through final assembly. ZA003 is also going through preps and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see this airplane flying next month.
Finally, Aviation Week has a whole section devoted to the 787 first flight as well as featured blog post from Guy Norris and Mike Mecham.
Aviation Week's Boeing 787 First Flight Special Report
787 Countdown to first flight (resumed) Part 7It's official: 787's First Flight is Tuesday
Boeing Sets Long-Awaited 787 First Flight
Friday, November 20, 2009
Flightblogger: 787 Fleet location
UPDATE (11/22/2009): ZA002 has been moved out to the Everett flightline and it seems that all the wing to body fairings have been reinstalled indicating that reassembly tasks maybe complete. See a picture of the Everett flight line by clicking here.
Flightblogger posted a great summary of where all the 787s are and the status of each aircraft
ZA001/LN1 : In paint hangar undergoing reassembly and should move to building 40-24 (767 line) this weekend to complete those reassembly tasks
ZA002/LN2 : Finish modifications and is in building 40-24 for reassembly tasks
ZA003/LN3 : In building 40-24 under going side of body modifications
ZA004/LN4 : At the ATS Hanger under going side of body modifications
ZA005/LN5 : On the Everett flightline awaiting it's turn for side of body modification
ZA006/LN6 : On the Everett flightline awaiting it's turn for side of body modification
ZA100/LN7 : On the Everett flightline awaiting it's turn for side of body modification
ZA101/LN8 : On the Everett flightline awaiting it's turn for side of body modification
ZA102/LN9 : At the ATS Hangar awaiting it's turn for side of body modification
ZA103/LN10 : In building 40-26 undergoing final assembly
ZA104/LN11 : In building 40-26 undergoing final assembly
ZA105/LN12 : In building 40-26 undergoing final assembly
ZA115/LN13 : In building 40-26 undergoing final assembly
ZA116/LN14 : Parts are arriving (horizontal stab and wings in da house)
Flightblogger : Getting Oriented
Flightblogger posted a great summary of where all the 787s are and the status of each aircraft
ZA001/LN1 : In paint hangar undergoing reassembly and should move to building 40-24 (767 line) this weekend to complete those reassembly tasks
ZA002/LN2 : Finish modifications and is in building 40-24 for reassembly tasks
ZA003/LN3 : In building 40-24 under going side of body modifications
ZA004/LN4 : At the ATS Hanger under going side of body modifications
ZA005/LN5 : On the Everett flightline awaiting it's turn for side of body modification
ZA006/LN6 : On the Everett flightline awaiting it's turn for side of body modification
ZA100/LN7 : On the Everett flightline awaiting it's turn for side of body modification
ZA101/LN8 : On the Everett flightline awaiting it's turn for side of body modification
ZA102/LN9 : At the ATS Hangar awaiting it's turn for side of body modification
ZA103/LN10 : In building 40-26 undergoing final assembly
ZA104/LN11 : In building 40-26 undergoing final assembly
ZA105/LN12 : In building 40-26 undergoing final assembly
ZA115/LN13 : In building 40-26 undergoing final assembly
ZA116/LN14 : Parts are arriving (horizontal stab and wings in da house)
Flightblogger : Getting Oriented
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
First 747-8F out of paint Hangar
Boeing PhotoBoeing showed off the newest version of the 747 painted in the Boeing "light" scheme. It will now proceed for fueling tests followed by APU start and then first engine start and intermediate gauntlet.
In a little bit of 787 news, the fatigue test air frame is now in the temporary tent hangar on the Everett flightline which may mean that this air frame may be next to undergo the side of body modification. A 747LCF also delivered the next horizontal stabilizer for Dreamliner 13.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
2nd production 787 moved to flightline
While we and the rest of the world waits for the first flight of the 787, Matt Cawby got video and pictures of the 2nd production 787 out on the Everett flightline. The aircraft was moved out the paint hangar 45-03 and onto the ramp at Everett. The aircraft is registered as JA804A.
Inside building 40-26, Boeing workers continue to put together 787s LN 9 to LN 12 (all for ANA). It is expected that LN 13 should be in the Everett factory very soon.
You can view Matt Cawby's picture by clicking here you can also view his video of the aircraft roll out here. Notice that this aircraft also does not have its engines attached yet. That will happen closer to the delivery time.
Inside building 40-26, Boeing workers continue to put together 787s LN 9 to LN 12 (all for ANA). It is expected that LN 13 should be in the Everett factory very soon.
You can view Matt Cawby's picture by clicking here you can also view his video of the aircraft roll out here. Notice that this aircraft also does not have its engines attached yet. That will happen closer to the delivery time.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Flightblogger's Trip to Spirit Aerosystems
Flightblogger took a trip earlier this month to Wichita, KS and met with Spirit Aerosystems execs. What he posted is quite an eye opening insight into the 787 program. In his posting he outlines the progress that Spirit, the best performing 787 partner thus far, has made on building the 787 forward fuselage section along with a few other parts for the aircraft. Flightblogger also reviews the challenges that await Spirit and the other partners as Boeing looks to ramp up production of the 787 over the next 4 years.
One item of great interest is Flightblogger's report on the fuselage section for LN 13, the thirteenth flying 787. With this aircraft Boeing is hope to achieve stability in the production of the 787 across the supply chain. It also incorporate some design changes with the aim of achieving weight savings in the 787. The changes that are being implemented with this airplane is known in the program as NC (Net Change) 5. Ultimately the net effect of implementing NC 5 is to reduce travelled work, stabilize the production and help with weight reduction. There will be further design changes that would have to be incorporated in the supply chain but for now Boeing is on its way of stabilizing the production but there will more changes resulting from flight testing.
Flightblogger : Inside the South Hangar, Spirit Road to 10/month Part 1
One item of great interest is Flightblogger's report on the fuselage section for LN 13, the thirteenth flying 787. With this aircraft Boeing is hope to achieve stability in the production of the 787 across the supply chain. It also incorporate some design changes with the aim of achieving weight savings in the 787. The changes that are being implemented with this airplane is known in the program as NC (Net Change) 5. Ultimately the net effect of implementing NC 5 is to reduce travelled work, stabilize the production and help with weight reduction. There will be further design changes that would have to be incorporated in the supply chain but for now Boeing is on its way of stabilizing the production but there will more changes resulting from flight testing.
Flightblogger : Inside the South Hangar, Spirit Road to 10/month Part 1
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Boeing releases updated schedule and conference call
UPDATE (9:30PM): Flightblogger posted a nice summary of today's events concerning the 787:
Flightblogger's 787 Update
Also I enquired with Boeing as to the disposition of the first three 787s. The Boeing response is below:
It'll be interesting to see what happens with these three airplanes after the flight test program is done. Perhaps they could donate one to the Smithsonian and get a tax write off on that airplane? It would look great next to the 707 at the NASM Annex at Dulles!
UPDATE (1:15PM): In response to how long it would take to install the fix on the 787 I got the following response from Boeing:
Press Release Summary:
1) 787 first flight to take place by the end of the year 2009
2) 787 first delivery to take place by 4th quarter 2010
3) Airplanes 1 through 3 are commercially valueless and will be reclassified from current inventory to R&D - Boeing will take a $2.5bn pre-tax non cash charge against earnings in the third quarter
4) Side of body fix has completed initial testing and is finishing up detailed design
5) Test aircraft are being prepared for installation of the fix
6) Installation of the fix should begin in the next few weeks.
7) Boeing 787 program not in a forward loss position meaning that it will be a profitable program
Takeaways from the conference call:
1) With the new schedule, Boeing has one year to test, fix and certify the 787 for commercial service. They had added extra margin to preserve this new schedule.
2) Modifications to aircraft LN 1 through LN 15 (plus ZY997 and ZY998) will take place at Everett and after that the modifications will take place a supplier facilities.
3) Boeing currently talking to customers on the 787 schedule and getting their input and feedback
4) Production at the 10/month rate won't be achieved until late 2013; 2nd production line will support the 10/month rate but the single line will only achieve the 7/month rate. Suppliers have the current capacity to supply 10/month. Interestingly enough he only talked about Charleston and Everett. No other locations for the 2nd line.
5) 787-9 first delivery pushed back to late 2013 (I wonder if the 2nd line will be dedicated to the 787-9?) - Answer - According to Guy Norris this will be the case, the 2nd line will be dedicated for 787-9 production.
6) The side of body stress condition is now accurately modelled and the fix is modelled as well. The fix entails adding 4 to 5 reinforcements to each stringer. The pacing items for the fix is the limited accessibility to the areas that the reinforcements and the number of technicians that can be inside installing the fix.
7) With the exception of the side of body issue, Boeing is pleased with the way testing has gone, especially gauntlet testing. Airplanes 1 and 2 are ready for flight pending the installation of the reinforcements.
8) There are no takers for the first three 787 (LN 1 through LN 3) due to the extensive modifications and rework that they had to go through, thus they are not commercially valuable and their expenses and value will be charged to R&D and taken off current inventory. Airplanes 4 though 6 does have commercial value (though less than $2.5bn) and will be sold to VIP customers after refurbishment. The program on the whole is not in a loss making position and the charge off is a one time event that will taken against 3rd quarter earnings.
HEre are other articles that have been posted since the call and they all have some information on stuff that I might have missed:
Fleetbuzz Editorial-787 schedule
787 Podcast from IAG
Guy Norris' August 27, 2009 Update
Flightblogger's 787 Update
Also I enquired with Boeing as to the disposition of the first three 787s. The Boeing response is below:
No decision has been made on those airplanes. There are a number of ways they could be used, including for testing on other programs.
It'll be interesting to see what happens with these three airplanes after the flight test program is done. Perhaps they could donate one to the Smithsonian and get a tax write off on that airplane? It would look great next to the 707 at the NASM Annex at Dulles!
UPDATE (1:15PM): In response to how long it would take to install the fix on the 787 I got the following response from Boeing:
With regard to ZA002, ZA006, ZY998, ZA100 and ZA101:For the airplanes already assembled, it will take approximately three months to complete the modification on each airplane. That includes the initial preparation time. That said, the static airframe, ZA001, ZA003, ZA004 and ZA005 are currently being prepared for the modification. In the future, when airplanes entering assembly, the retrofit will occur during the final body join process.
Preparations on these airplanes will begin very soon but we are not going to provide a specific schedule on an airplane-by-airplane basis.Boeing has released their schedule for the 787 though it's purposely devoid of exact dates it generally conforms to what was reported earlier by Flightblogger.
Press Release Summary:
1) 787 first flight to take place by the end of the year 2009
2) 787 first delivery to take place by 4th quarter 2010
3) Airplanes 1 through 3 are commercially valueless and will be reclassified from current inventory to R&D - Boeing will take a $2.5bn pre-tax non cash charge against earnings in the third quarter
4) Side of body fix has completed initial testing and is finishing up detailed design
5) Test aircraft are being prepared for installation of the fix
6) Installation of the fix should begin in the next few weeks.
7) Boeing 787 program not in a forward loss position meaning that it will be a profitable program
Takeaways from the conference call:
1) With the new schedule, Boeing has one year to test, fix and certify the 787 for commercial service. They had added extra margin to preserve this new schedule.
2) Modifications to aircraft LN 1 through LN 15 (plus ZY997 and ZY998) will take place at Everett and after that the modifications will take place a supplier facilities.
3) Boeing currently talking to customers on the 787 schedule and getting their input and feedback
4) Production at the 10/month rate won't be achieved until late 2013; 2nd production line will support the 10/month rate but the single line will only achieve the 7/month rate. Suppliers have the current capacity to supply 10/month. Interestingly enough he only talked about Charleston and Everett. No other locations for the 2nd line.
5) 787-9 first delivery pushed back to late 2013 (I wonder if the 2nd line will be dedicated to the 787-9?) - Answer - According to Guy Norris this will be the case, the 2nd line will be dedicated for 787-9 production.
6) The side of body stress condition is now accurately modelled and the fix is modelled as well. The fix entails adding 4 to 5 reinforcements to each stringer. The pacing items for the fix is the limited accessibility to the areas that the reinforcements and the number of technicians that can be inside installing the fix.
7) With the exception of the side of body issue, Boeing is pleased with the way testing has gone, especially gauntlet testing. Airplanes 1 and 2 are ready for flight pending the installation of the reinforcements.
8) There are no takers for the first three 787 (LN 1 through LN 3) due to the extensive modifications and rework that they had to go through, thus they are not commercially valuable and their expenses and value will be charged to R&D and taken off current inventory. Airplanes 4 though 6 does have commercial value (though less than $2.5bn) and will be sold to VIP customers after refurbishment. The program on the whole is not in a loss making position and the charge off is a one time event that will taken against 3rd quarter earnings.
HEre are other articles that have been posted since the call and they all have some information on stuff that I might have missed:
Fleetbuzz Editorial-787 schedule
787 Podcast from IAG
Guy Norris' August 27, 2009 Update
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Flightblogger: Boeing preparing revised 787 plan
On the heels of ZA002 performing it's slow and medium speed taxi tests (last such tests for a few months), Flightblogger revealed today that Boeing is in the final stages of preparing a document called Z18 (18 for the 18th revision) which outlines construction and schedule of each 787 in the pipeline for Boeing and each one of it's partners.
Flightblogger reveals that first flight for ZA001 may take place between late November and early December. This would equate to a five month delay to the 787 program on top of the other delays. First delivery to ANA would be 4th quarter of 2010. Boeing has yet to reveal it's schedule and should do so in about 5 weeks or so.
The Z18 document is intended to make sure that everyone (Boeing, suppliers, and even customers) are on the same page with regards to assembly production and delivery of each of the 787s that Boeing is committed to delivering including all financial considerations.
The wrinkles are not going to put a wrinkle in Boeing's 787 plan.
With regards to the wrinkle issue, Flightblogger says Boeing is applying the fix to the affected airframes while it has stopped winding fuselage barrels for airplane 30 on out. The permanent fix has yet to be developed though in my communications with Boeing it seems that they would need add additional plies to the affected areas when applying the composite tape before autoclaving the structure. The affected area is the stringer edge step. Until the permanent fix is determined, the resources in Grottaglie will be reallocated to preparing the 13 sections at that worksite for shipping to Global Aeronautica. This will accelerate the preparation of the existing barrels and when Boeing and Alenia are ready to start winding barrels for airplane 30 on out, those resources will be shifted back again to get that work flowing again. It looks like that there won't be any schedule disruptions due to the wrinkle issue.
Flightblogger also says that starting with airplanes 11, 12 or 13 Boeing and it's partners will implement NC 5 (for Net Change 5). This is a standardization of the structural, wiring and systems design across all the suppliers so that travelled work is kept to a minimum and commonality is maxed out when the parts arrive in Everett for final assembly.
It is here where Boeing is hoping (I believe) that there will be no more travelled work in the production system going into Everett and this would form the basis of the production ramp up. Flightblogger says that parts for airplane 10 (LN10) should start arriving at the end of this month. I would expect that airplane 4 and 5 which are in 40-26 would be moved soon to another location so that LN 7 and LN 8 can move down the line and LN 9 can start final assembly though this is be slowed until the side of body fix in installed and tested. Boeing still wants to modify as few planes as possible after the wing-body join.
Flightblogger: What is Z18?
Flightblogger reveals that first flight for ZA001 may take place between late November and early December. This would equate to a five month delay to the 787 program on top of the other delays. First delivery to ANA would be 4th quarter of 2010. Boeing has yet to reveal it's schedule and should do so in about 5 weeks or so.
The Z18 document is intended to make sure that everyone (Boeing, suppliers, and even customers) are on the same page with regards to assembly production and delivery of each of the 787s that Boeing is committed to delivering including all financial considerations.
The wrinkles are not going to put a wrinkle in Boeing's 787 plan.
With regards to the wrinkle issue, Flightblogger says Boeing is applying the fix to the affected airframes while it has stopped winding fuselage barrels for airplane 30 on out. The permanent fix has yet to be developed though in my communications with Boeing it seems that they would need add additional plies to the affected areas when applying the composite tape before autoclaving the structure. The affected area is the stringer edge step. Until the permanent fix is determined, the resources in Grottaglie will be reallocated to preparing the 13 sections at that worksite for shipping to Global Aeronautica. This will accelerate the preparation of the existing barrels and when Boeing and Alenia are ready to start winding barrels for airplane 30 on out, those resources will be shifted back again to get that work flowing again. It looks like that there won't be any schedule disruptions due to the wrinkle issue.
Flightblogger also says that starting with airplanes 11, 12 or 13 Boeing and it's partners will implement NC 5 (for Net Change 5). This is a standardization of the structural, wiring and systems design across all the suppliers so that travelled work is kept to a minimum and commonality is maxed out when the parts arrive in Everett for final assembly.
It is here where Boeing is hoping (I believe) that there will be no more travelled work in the production system going into Everett and this would form the basis of the production ramp up. Flightblogger says that parts for airplane 10 (LN10) should start arriving at the end of this month. I would expect that airplane 4 and 5 which are in 40-26 would be moved soon to another location so that LN 7 and LN 8 can move down the line and LN 9 can start final assembly though this is be slowed until the side of body fix in installed and tested. Boeing still wants to modify as few planes as possible after the wing-body join.
Flightblogger: What is Z18?
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