Jon Ostrower got another detail filled post out not too long ago. In it he confirmed what I posted with regards to the the factory gauntlet: factory gauntlet will start in about 10 days around April 10th) and should take 2 to 3 days after which it will be rolled out to the flightline.
The intermediate gauntlet will occur in mid-May soon after ZA002 (Dreamliner 2) joins ZA001 out on the flight line. while ZY998 the fatigue airframe will go back to the factory (though I'm not sure if it'll go to the 787 (40-26 building) line or the 767 line (40-24 building)) for continued structural re-work. My guess is it'll go to 40-24 so as not to interfere with 787 production.
ZY997 the fatigues test air frame is under going a quality assurance reconciliation before moving to the wing load limit test.
Read Jon's posting here.
Lastly, I found out that LN6 has completed wing body join.
Thanks for update. Between you and Jon we are being well informed.
ReplyDeleteWhy is there a month between the factory gauntlet test and the intermediate gauntlet? Is that time needed before they can start the tests on the flightline?
ReplyDeleteIf the factory test is completed by April 13th and plane #1 is then moved to the flightline, what is occuring during the next thirty days while the plane sits on the flightline?
You are indicating that the intermediate tests will probably begin in mid May
Do you think there is any slack built into this schedule ( BA's claim that it is milestone driven)?
ReplyDeletePlacing a month before the intermediate gauntlet test seems like an absorbtion period.
Three's probably a little slack in teh schedule but I suspect not that much. I'm not sure why tehre is a month between the two tests but I suspect it's to set up for the test as well as test out telementry between the test systems on board the airplane and the test flight team on the ground.
ReplyDeleteCould you find out more about this gap of a month before continuing on to the next gauntlet test
ReplyDeleteIt seems strange that so much time is required to prepare for the intermediate gauntlet. The testing of "telementry" should not require that much time..most of it should have been done by now anyway.
Thanks.
I think the prior post is not correct on the testing of "telementry". The results from the factory gauntlet probably have to be incorporated into the software so the "lineup" cannot take place until after the results. I do not say this with expertise...but with educated speculation.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Uresh can clear this up.
It should be understood that during the intermediate gauntlet test, the plane is fueled up and the engines are powered on for the first time. In addition, power is supplied from the APU unit. All of this can be done in a relatively short period of time.
ReplyDeleteThere are alot of steps to be accompished during the intermediate gauntlet test.
ReplyDeleteThe plane will be fueled up for the first time and the engines will also be run for the first time. In addition, the AUP unit will be operating and providing electricity to the plane.
Maybe these things are done during the April-May period, prior to the continued testing of the planes systems. Am not sure, but a month of doing nothing when there are many things to be accomplished seems strange.
Boeing is very knowledgeable and expert at testing aircraft. They must know what they are doing since it is in their interest to get the plane up in the air a soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteThat still does not fill in the gap of a month...something must be going on.
ReplyDeleteDo you know the order of the intermediate factory testing? Is the engine fueled first..when does the APU get activated...before testing or for testing...
ReplyDeleteI am puzzled by the month slack before testing is to begin and wonder what goes on during that period.