787 Delay Roundup

In a surprise announcement this morning, Boeing announced that it is pushing back the first flight of the ZA001, the first 787. The issue leading to this postponement was a structural issue that was revealed a few weeks ago during a test on ZY997, the static test airplane that Boeing is using to test the structure of the 787.

Problem
In a test where the wing was deflected, the strain gauge measurements were not following the predictive modeling that Boeing had developed for certain areas of the sider body join. Jon Ostrower had confirmed that the area in question are 18 small areas on each side of the aircraft at section 11 (center wingbox) and section 12 (main wingbox) are joined (upper wing root). There appeared to be some damage during this test that confirmed what the strain gauges had recorded. Unconfirmed report that there was some delamination of the skin at those areas.
In a conference call today Pat Shanahan and Scott Francher said that there are several areas each about 1 to 2 sq. inches that need to be reinforced.
At this point Boeing is understanding the root cause of the problem and and are concurrently working on several different designs to fix the problem. However they still cannot give guidance at this point for first flight and first delivery.

Resolution
They still have to finalize a design then proceed with detailed design of the fix. Manufacture the parts and install them on ZY997 in order to be tested. If testing verifies the design then Boeing will retrofit all the 787 whether assembled, in final assembly, or within the supply chain with the required parts. Boeing said in the conference call that the parts will add a negligible amount of weight and should not effect aerodynamic performance of the aircraft. At one point Boeing was considering a temporary solution but decided on a permanent fix over a temporary one. Additionally, they said that ZA001 could have flown without any type of fix but did not want to risk it.

Testing and Production
Of great concern is how does this new issue effect further testing and production. ZA001 was on the verge of starting final gauntlet testing followed by taxi tests. Boeing stressed that those activities will continue in the coming days though I'm not sure if they would do the rejected take off (RTO) tests until after the reinforcements have been installed.
In terms of production Boeing said that the other 5 test flight airplanes will continue with their final assembly and testing activities as this issues affects none of those activities. ZA002 is out on the flight line and will soon turn on its engines and will continue with it's pre-flight ground tests as will the other test flight aircraft. They will pull them out of the assembly building when they are done to proceed with their test activities on the ground.
Additionally all production activities will continue uninterrupted whether that is at Everett final assembly or at any of the partner production sites. When the fix is finalized and in production, all airplanes will be retrofitted with these parts in the supply chain or on the tarmac.

Unknown
Now this all leaves the 787 schedule up in the air. Scott Francher said that he will give a revised schedule outlook in a few weeks regarding first flight, certification and first delivery. Saj at fleetbuzzeditorial.com said he expects a two to three month delay pushing the entry into service to 2nd quarter of 2010. Lastly, with an unknown amount of time because of this new delay I wonder how Boeing will fill this time in order to retire risk and/or retire certification paperwork yet to be done but doesn't need actual flight time to complete it?

This story is part of the continuing saga of the 787 and I plan on continuing to be on top of it. You can read what my fellow bloggers have also written:

Fleetbuzzeditorial.com's 787 5th delay post
Flightblogger's 787 delay post
Mike Mecham's 787 article

Breaking: Boeing postpones 787 first flight due to structural issue

UPDATE: Jon Ostrower reports that Boeing discovered the issue on the the static test airframe in April 2009!

Boeing Press Release:

Boeing Postpones 787 First Flight
EVERETT, Wash., June 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) today announced that first flight of the 787 Dreamliner will be postponed due to a need to reinforce an area within the side-of-body section of the aircraft.
The need was identified during the recent regularly scheduled tests on the full-scale static test airplane. Preliminary analysis indicated that flight test could proceed this month as planned. However, after further testing and consideration of possible modified flight test plans, the decision was made late last week that first flight should instead be postponed until productive flight testing could occur.
First flight and first delivery will be rescheduled following the final determination of the required modification and testing plan. It will be several weeks before the new schedule is available. The 787 team will continue with other aspects of testing on Airplane #1, including final gauntlet testing and low-speed taxiing. Work will also continue on the other five flight test aircraft and the subsequent aircraft in the production system.
Scott Carson, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes said a team of experts has already identified several potential solutions.
"Consideration was given to a temporary solution that would allow us to fly as scheduled, but we ultimately concluded that the right thing was to develop, design, test and incorporate a permanent modification to the localized area requiring reinforcement. Structural modifications like these are not uncommon in the development of new airplanes, and this is not an issue related to our choice of materials or the assembly and installation work of our team," Carson said.
Boeing's financial guidance will be updated to reflect any impact of these changes when the company issues its second quarter 2009 earnings report in July.
Boeing will hold a conference call with Carson, Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager of Airplane Programs, and Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, to discuss the 787 program today at 10:00 a.m. EDT, 7:00 a.m., PDT. A webcast of that call will be accessible at http://www.boeing.com/.
Contact:
Yvonne Leach, Communications, 206-854-5027
Lori Gunter, Communications, 206-931-5919
Rob Young, Investor Relations, 312-544-2140
SOURCE: Boeing

Two Dreamliners and a Dreamlifter

Matt Cawby got this great shot of two 787s and the 747LCF together (sort of). Kind of a cool picture.

Two Dreamliners and a Dreamlifter

Matt Cawby: ZA002 moved from fuel dock

According to a posting by Matt Cawby, ZA002 the second 787 to fly was moved from the fuel dock to flightline stall 103 indicating that fueling tests are complete for ZA002.

See Matt's Photograph

Mike Mecham: 787 has a week worth of tests left

Mike Mecham of Aviation Week wrote an article detailing the testing left for the 787. Here's how it's all laid out:

Friday, June 19th to Sunday, June 21st : A series of 6 major ground tests. Initially this set of tests were supposed to be completed by Saturday but now has been pushed back to Sunday. Additionally, Pat Shanahan is supposed to have a flight readiness review on Saturday, June 20th.

Monday, June 22nd to Wednesday, June 24th - Final gauntlet testing lasting 48 hours. This testing meant to get a final check of all the 787's systems using a new release of the software that was modified after factory and intermediate gauntlet testing was completed and the necessary changes identified and written into the code.

Thursday, June 25th to Friday June 26th - This is the analysis of the data gathered by all the testing and final top to bottom and front to back inspection of the 787.

Saturday, June 27th - Taxi tests, this is an all day affair which will start with low speed taxi tests gradually building up to high speed taxi test and ending with rejected take off tests where the airplane will be bought to rotation speed or Vr and the nose wheel is lifted off the runway but the aircraft will not leave the ground.

Sunday, June 28th - If all goes well with the testing and analysis of the previous 9 days, this would be the day that ZA001 takes to the air. Mike Mecham reports that the plan is to fly the 787 for about five and a half hours but the first flight may last much loner than that. ZA001 will land at Boeing Field in downtown Seattle where it will be based for the remainder of the test program and where the test flight team is based.

Mike Mecham's 787 Report

Next 787 Hurdle: Production

Now that the first six 787s are on their way to the air within the next couple of months for flight testing and certification, the next major hurdle for Boeing to tackle with this program is ramping up production.
Boeing will produce about 2 787s per month through this year and into 2010 (how far into 2010 is unknown). This is to make sure that any modifications and changes can flow up the supply chain without disrupting production in a significant way.
However Boeing is looking at ways to meet the demand and fulfill the current backlog. They can do this not only by increasing the production on the current line but also starting a 2nd final assembly line. Analyst predict that this 2nd assembly line won't be located in Everett but most likely in the South like South Carolina or Texas where labor won't be a problem to fulfilling the backlog. Pat Shanahan, in speaking to Jon Ostrower made that very clear that customers want an "assurance of delivery." In my opinion the IAM shot itself in the foot when they went on strike in September 2008. The ramifications of the strike will be realized in the next few months.
Now with a 2nd line also give Boeing an opportunity to bring some supplier work in house. In my opinion Boeing doesn't have to give work packages to suppliers in order to supply inventory to the 2nd production line. Instead they could set up a production facility with autoclaves to produce and pre-stuff the fuselage barrels for aircraft produced on the 2nd line. They probably won't do all the sections but I could see Boeing taking over the manufacture of the main fuselage sections and the rear fuselage sections from their current suppliers.

Already some of the suppliers are talking about the difficulties of ramping up production especially when they need more investment in order to do so. If Boeing hopes to produce 10/month or more by 2012 they would not only need to make sure that all production changes are incorporated successfully but that each supplier has all the necessary tooling and work force for the necessary production output which ultimately means more money needed by the suppliers.

Jon Ostrower's interview with Pat Shanahan
Seattle Time's article about production ramp up

Matt Cawby: Taxi tests planned for Thursday, June 25th, 2009

Matt Cawby posted on his blog that the first taxi runs should start on June 25, 2009. He also reported that the static pressure guide wire and cone was retracted into the tail of ZA001. Also ZA002 has started its APU.

Matt Cawby's Blog entry

Boeing Announces the start of final assembly on ZA100

Boeing has confirmed my earlier post from yesterday that ZA100, the 7th 787 to be built and the first production 787 for ANA has started final assembly. Here is Boeing's press release:

News Release Issued: June 17, 2009 6:32 PM EDT
Final Assembly Begins on First Boeing 787 Dreamliner for ANA
EVERETT, Wash., June 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Final assembly has begun on the first Boeing (NYSE: BA) 787 Dreamliner destined for delivery to launch customer ANA (All Nippon Airways) of Japan.

ANA and Boeing launched the 787 program with a firm order for 50 of the all-new composite jetliner. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2010.
Boeing and ANA celebrated the occasion with a traditional "Kagami wari" ceremony, the breaking open of a wooden "Taru" (sake barrel) lid with wooden mallets.
"This is a great day for the 787 team," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 Dreamliner program. "In 2004, ANA demonstrated great faith in Boeing and the 787 by placing the largest launch order for any new airplane in Boeing history. Since then, the ANA team has been an integral part of developing the 787 family of airplanes.
"Speaking for our entire global 787 team, including our partners, I'd like to say we are honored by ANA's commitment to the Dreamliner," Fancher said. "We look forward to our continued partnership as we prepare the 787 to enter commercial service."
"Congratulations to Boeing on the start of the historic assembly of the first 787 Dreamliner for commercial flight," said ANA President & CEO Shinichiro Ito. "As the launch customer, we are delighted and excited to see the achievement of this milestone and to have worked closely together to reach this day. We look forward to the start of the 787 flight test program and delivery into our fleet next year."
The 787 Dreamliner has 865 orders from 56 airlines, making it the fastest-selling all-new jetliner in aviation history.
Pictured from left to right are: Kinichiro Suetsugu, manager - ANA U.S. Engineering; Takeo Kikuchi, general manager - ANA U.S. Engineering; Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager - 787 program and Mike Fleming, director of Services and Support - 787 program.
More information: http://www.boeing.com/commercial/787family/
Neg. K64723
Contact:
Mary Hanson
787 Communications
+1-206-898-4749
mary.hanson@boeing.com
SOURCE: Boeing
Web site: http://www.boeing.com/

787 Update from Paris, Day 2

UPDATE (06/16/2009; 10:50PM EST): A source has told me that final assembly on ZA100, the first 787 for ANA will start tonight in Everett.

Wow lots of news coming out about the 787 today so where to start?

Let's start with ZA001's road to first flight. I got a lot of the information from Guy Norris two 787 reports today.

Pat Shanahan gave an update on the status of Boeing's Commercial Product Development today in Paris. In the briefing he indicated that first flight could be a lot closer than the end of the month. Currently ZA001 is undergoing engineering tests that should lead up to a flight readiness review and then to final gauntlet which would after the review. Pat Shanahan also warned that there is no margin left in the testing and certification schedule so if there are problems that are uncovered during flight testing then that moves the entry into service to the right. Pat Shanahan also said that Global Aeronautica continues to be the weak link in the supply chain with the main issues being the travelled work as well as incorporation of the design changes.

So far ZA001 has completed flight control checks on June 16th and today are going through hydraulic systems checks today. Additionally, ZA002 which was rolled out to the flightline on Sunday has already completed its first fueling tests.

Guy's 29th 787 Update
Guy's 30th 787 Update
Aviation Week - ZA002 roll out

Highlighting the readiness of ZA001 to fly, Scott Carson told Bloomberg that ZA001could fly today if they wanted to. They won't fly it of course until they have gone through further tests but this illustrates the confidence that Boeing has in the 787 and the maturity of the systems that are loaded on the aircraft. He stated that the aircraft did much better than anticipated during the recently completed gauntlet tests.

Bloomberg's 787 article

From Flightglobal, Jon Ostrower confirmed what I had suspected a few days ago...the LCF flew in the main fuselage section for ZA100. This is the first production aircraft for ANA and was apparently delivered with a banner that read "Building with pride, the first 787 for ANA." The wings for this aircraft has been moved into position and should be soon followed by the three fuselage sections according to Jon.

Jon's Article

However, not all the news from Paris was positive for the 787. Qatar Airways is upset over the delays and Boeing's treatment of them. He threatened to pull the 60 plane order for the 787 if Boeing doesn't start to address their concerns. My opinion...Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airway's CEO has been more impartial to Airbus thus he would always see Boeing in a harsher light. I consider him a wind bag who has to say outrageous things in order for him to stay relevant but unfortunately for a Boeing, he is someone that they would have to take seriously if they want to preserve their order.

Flight's Qatar Airways 787 story

Boeing: ZA002 goes to the fuel dock

Photos Courtesy of Boeing

Here's Boeing's press release on the 2nd Dreamliner going to the flightline:

News Release Issued: June 15, 2009 1:28 PM EDT
Second Boeing 787 Dreamliner Moves to Flight Line
EVERETT, Wash., June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The second Boeing (NYSE: BA) 787 Dreamliner has moved to the flight line to begin fuel testing. This is the second of six 787s being used in the all-new airplane's flight-test program.
"Momentum continues to build with each milestone achieved," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 Dreamliner program.
Each of the six flight-test airplanes will be used for a specific set of tests during the flight-test program. This airplane, designated ZA002, will focus on systems performance. Like its predecessor, ZA001, this airplane has successfully completed a rigorous series of tests while still in the factory. Fuel testing began immediately upon the airplane entering the fuel dock.
ZA002 features the livery of the Dreamliner's launch customer, ANA (All Nippon Airways) of Japan.
"ANA will be the first to fly the 787 Dreamliner in commercial service," Fancher noted. "We are honored to fly in ANA livery throughout the flight-test program as a tribute to our partnership in bringing this all-new airplane to market."
The 787 Dreamliner has 865 orders from 56 airlines.
Contact:
Mary Hanson
787 Dreamliner Communications
+1-206-898-4749
mary.hanson@boeing.com
SOURCE: Boeing

787 Update from Paris (and beyond)

UPDATE: ZA002 (N787EX) is out on at the Boeing fuel dock. Matt Cawby posted a photograph this morning showing the aircraft finally outside and ready to conduct fueling tests. First flight of ZA002 should take place by July 21st. Matt Cawby's Photo.

Well Boeing gave some more information into when the Dreamliner will finally leave the ground through it was hardly earth shattering news. First the first flight was not going to be event driven (ie not fly during the air show) but rather fly when it's ready to fly. This has been Boeing's mantra since August 2007.

Secondly, Scott Carson did say that it'll fly on June 30th which is the end of the 2nd quarter. Again not earth shattering news from Boeing. Jon Ostrower did post that it is possible that the schedule can be bought forward from June 30th, he cited program sources.

Now according to Jon's post (also from program sources), the way things are laid out over the next two weeks are as follow:

Now until through this weekend: preps for final gauntlet testing
Early next week: final gauntlet testing (about 2 days in length)
Middle of next week to the end of the week (June 25 or 26th): Inspections of 787 prior to start of taxi tests
Late next week through the weekend of June 27th-28th): taxi tests (787 moves under it's own power)
June 3oth: In the air

Now this is a zero margin schedule and as Jon said, it could move to the left depending on how further testing goes.

Jon also reported that Boeing and the partners in the supply chain agreed that all travelled work would be eliminated by airplane 14 which should be in final assembly by the end of this year. Alenia North America chief Giuseppe Giordo also said in Paris that it still takes Global Aeronautica about 300 days to finish the main fuselage section of the 787 but they are working on reducing that number. This probably accounts for all the sections flowing into the GA assembly sight in Charleston.
Guy Norris also put out an update on the 787 this morning. The first flight fuel verification testing that was supposed to take place today was actually completed on Sunday thus allowing for Boeing to proceed to the testing of the flight control system today (June 15th) with a focus on the tail and full deflection testing of the horizontal stabilizers (tail feathers). Guy also said that a few tests were completed on ZA002 in advance of it being rolled out of the hanger and to the fuel dock. According to my information, that was to have happened last night but I have not received verification of that yet.

Jon's 787 Update from Paris
Guy's 28th 787 Update

Paris 2009: Boeing to offer KC-777 (& KC-767), possible 777 revamp w/ 787-10 being looked at

Some musing coming out of Paris today.

First of all, and not entirely unexpected, Boeing will be offering up both the 767 and the 777 (presumably the 777F) for the USAF tanker competition against the EADS KC-330 tanker. Thus the tanker saga which has been years in the making continues to get interesting. It'll get it's own Lifetime TV movie by the time it's all done.

Next, Boeing's Commercial Airplanes Chief, Scott Carson, commented on the 777 future and said that Boeing might look at re-winging the popular twin in order to get more range in order to remain competitive with the A350 (specifically the A350-900 and A350-1000). Now it all comes to costs of redesigning the wing vs an all new design to supplant the 777 and remain competitive with the A350. Carson also did not rule out a larger 787 (the 787-10) which would seat about 310 people in a three class configuration. This aircraft would compete with the A350-900 while a re-winged 777-300ER would compete against the A350-1000. Before any of this can happen though, Boeing has to get the 787-8 into the air and into flight testing which will be the subject of another post.

Matt Cawby: ZA002 to the fuel dock late Sunday night

Matt Cawby has said that Dreamliner 2 (ZA002) should be at the fuel dock late Sunday night. It is also possible that the main fuselage section for ZA100 is being flown into Everett tonight as well as the LCF is on it's way to Everett from Charleston.

All this and the progress of ZA001 before the start of the Paris Air Show would give Boeing a lot to talk about during the press briefings on Monday and Tuesday.

Guy Norris: ZA001 starts final gauntlet on June 15th

Guy Norris posted today that ZA001 will start final gauntlet testing this Monday, June 15th. It'll start with a first flight fuel systems verification test. Additionally this weekend ZA001 is under going flight deck avionics testing as well as the stall warning systems test and tests of the Trent 1000 interface with the electronic engine control system.

Guy's 27th 787 update

Matt Cawby: ZA001 being prepared for taxi tests

Matt Cawby, an Everett -area photographer got a picture of Boeing technicians installing the static pressue cone on the tail of the aircraft. This is an indication that taxi tests are very close! However I still do not have an indication of when taxi tests would start.

Matt Cawby's photograph

787 First Flight Now Targeted for June 24

UPDATE (6/12/2009): Jon Ostrower wrote an article that appeared on Flight International's web site where he says that ZA001's first flight is days away. Could it be that it's 12 days away from today? Stay tuned!
787 flight is imminent by Jon Ostrower

Sources have told me that first flight for 787 is being targeted for June 24th. I am trying to confirm. This is all contingent upon Boeing finishing up all needed ground testing and no unexpected problems crop up as a result.

Please remember that this date is a moving target and not set in stone.

787 roundup - June 9, 2009

Lots of stuff today but nothing earth shattering. First Guy Norris of Aviation Week reported that Boeing is now analyzing data from the recently completed intermediate gauntlet tests on ZA001 and once the data has been reviewed a plan of action for the final gauntlet will probably be formulated and executed. ZA001 did have one post gauntlet test engine run on June 8th which should clear it for final gauntlet testing which Guy feels should start later this week.

Randy Tinseth give Boeing's perspective on the 787s intermediate gauntlet testing in his blog. What's very interesting is that when the test crew is buttoned up inside the 787 doing the gauntlet tests they're served meals and have full use of the airplanes' lavatories!

Lastly, Boeing released three videos of the gauntlet testing which are very fascinating to watch and give an idea of what the flight test team is doing to prepare for first flight.

Guy's 26th 787 Update Report
Randy's Journal - Learning to Fly



Getting to Gauntlet

Video Courtesy of Boeing

Going Through Gauntlet

Video Courtesy of Boeing

Men and Women of Gauntlet

Video Courtesy of Boeing

Flightblogger: 787 Intermediate Gauntlet Test Completed

Flightblogger says that Boeing confirmed the successful completion of the intermediate gauntlet tests. Boeing is pretty much set up for the start of final gauntlet testing after the intermediate was completed on Sunday afternoon (June 7th).

Jon also reported that ZA002 completed tests of its navigation system. ZA002 could be on the fuel dock as early as Tuesday for its fueling tests and calibration as well as spooling up its APU for the first time.

Flightblogger: Intermediate gauntlet complete

Flightblogger: Realizing the 787 Dream

Flightblogger wrote an expansive review of the 787 issues and progress covering a period from the Farnborough Air Show to today and looking ahead at what's in store for the 787 program in terms of production and flight testing. It's an incredibly great article which goes into great detail especially for what lies ahead in the program.

Realising the 787 dream

Guy Norris: Intermeidate Gauntlet Test on ZA001 completed!!

Guy Norris reported this afternoon that Boeing has completed intermediate gauntlet testing on the first 787 today. The results of the intermediate gauntlet testing apparently were better than expected thus eliminating the ened for further blocks of gauntlet testing by Boeing.
The process now moves to a systems test monitoring evaluation which Guy says should pave the way for the start on final gauntlet testing.

Guy's 25th 787 Update.

Guy Norris: Boeing into final aspects of intermediate gauntlet tests

Guy Norris is reporting that intermediate gauntlet testing is entering its final stages with blocks 17 and 18 completed last night and blocks 19 through 21 to be performed today into the night tonight. Blocks 19 and 20 specifically are geared to run through tests that would be performed during first flight. These blocks relate to refining the flight control software during the first flight.

ZA002 will be testing part of the navigation system called the earth reference system (ERS). Hopefully this airplane should be towed out to the fuel dock to go through fueling tests. I believe that ZA002 is still slated to fly about 3 weeks after ZA001. This could put ZA002's first flight around the first week of July.

ZA003 flight crew is undertaking more simulation training in the ITV, specifically on handling smoky situations arising from the forward and aft cargo bulk holds.

Guy's 787 Update #24

Boeing Videos of the 787

Video Courtesy of Boeing

Video Courtesy of Boeing

ZA001 intermediate gauntlet testing entering the final stages

Both Flightblogger and Guy Norris report that ZA001 is entering the final stages of it's intermediate gauntlet testing with no apparent issues thus far. The stage seems to be setting for the final gauntlet followed by taxi tests.

Both Guy and Jon are reporting that Boeing is on block 14 and block 15 which covers environmental controls and more common core systems (CCS) testing today. On Thursday will see electrical systems tests, as well as pilot conditions tests and a final CCS test which will go into early Friday morning.

ZA002 is progressing through it's factory gauntlet and should be out by the fuel dock to go through the similar fueling tests that ZA001.

Additionally, Jon is reporting that the main fuselage section for ZA100, the first production aircraft for ANA, is being kept at Charleston, SC to finish off work and to ensure that there isn't any travelled work.

Flightblogger June 3rd Report
Guy's 23rd 787 Report

Here's a video from Liz Matzelle of Dreamliner 1 undergoing gauntlet tests on the Boeing ramp:

Simulated Dreamliner Test Flights from Liz Matzelle on Vimeo.

Flightblogger: Spirit to ship 787 sections at about a 2/month rate

Flightblogger sent out a few Tweets this afternoon about Spirit's prodcution of the 787 forward fuselage sections. Spirit will deliver 10 - 12 787 section 41s this year (2009) to Boeing (they've delivered 3 thus far this year).

They say that they are capable of making 7/month right now but they'll be doing 2/month for the 2nd half of 2009 and for 2010 or until Boeing give them a go for increasing beyond the 2/month rate. The last section they'll deliver this year will be for LN17.

So that automatically says that Boeing expects to produce 2 787s per month until the end of 2010 it seems though if they could up that rate before the end of 2010 I'm sure they'll do that. To me that doesn't sound very promising for their earnings in 2010.

Spirit does plan to up production to 7/month later on but didn't give a time frame as to when that will happen. Boeing has said that it expects to hit 10/month production rate sometime in 2012.

Jon posted an update to his blog:

Jon's Spirit Update

Guy Norris: Intermediate Gauntlet Testing Continues with further block tests

Guy posted that Boeing is still continuing with gauntlet testing and are now up to test blocks 8 through 11 with block 11 expected to be completed by late Tuesday. Boeing does expect to complete intermediate gauntlet by this Wednesday. No word on when final gauntlet will start.

I do expect that ZA002 will go through gauntlet testing as will ZA005 which is the first GEnx airplane. I'm not sure about the other test airplanes but they will eventually go through some period of pre-flight testing before their first flights. I'm still maintaining my prediction for first flight after the Paris Air Show and specifically around June 19th (note: I erroneously put the 9th, duhhh).

Boeing will make it June 18th just to spite me. Just kidding Boeing!

Guy's 22nd 787 post.

Flightblogger: Boeing confirms 787 intermediate gauntlet tests

Flightblogger confirmed that ZA001 has started intermediate gauntlet testing which should be completed by this Friday at the latest. Jon also said that high powered engine runs were conducted on Friday (May 29th) prior to the start of gauntlet testing.
Boeing also confirmed the start of the tests on Randy Tinseth's blog that was posted last night. In his blog, Randy says that they won't expect to put out any more progress reports over the next few days as they're busy getting and analyzing data during this testing. Randy also linked to a great video of the first engine run on ZA001.

Flightblogger posting confirming start of intermediate gauntlet testing.

Randy's Blog: The Gauntlet Begins

Guy Norris: ZA001 to go through 5 testing blocks during early intermediate gauntlet testing

Intermediate gauntlet testing is underway and according to Guy Norris, ZA001 will go through 5 blocks of tests during the early period of intermediate gauntlet testing. Additionally, the start of this testing was slightly delayed for unknown reasons. The five blocks outlines by Guy should be completed by late Sunday night. Of course this is just the start of intermediate gauntlet testing that is expected to last until next Friday.

Lastly, Guy says that there is testing ongoing on ZA002 which includes tests on the electronic bay cooing system as well as tests on some computerized maintenance tasks.


Guy's 21st 787 Report

Guy Norris: ZA001 to start intermediate gauntlet tests today

UPDATE: Flightblogger is reporting that ZA001 is powered up and engines are running possibly signalling the start of gauntlet testing. Also Jon put up a few spectacular pics of the 787 from a different perspective. Jon's latest post.

Guy Norris posted on his blog early (very early) this morning that intermediate gauntlet should start later today. According to his report Boeing should have started some engine run tests at about 3 AM local time followed by a simulated Boeing B-1 standard profile first flight which all Boeing airplanes go through before they are delivered to customers. This should be followed by a modified B-1 test along with test of the GE-developed CCS (Common Core System).

There will be other systems tests during the day as well. If everything goes well, then intermediate gauntlet testing should conclude around June 5th. It's unknown how long final gauntlet would take but I'm opining that it would be about 3 to 4 days at the most but I'm not too sure. After the final gauntlet, Boeing would undertake Hot Fire tests of the engines and then low speed and high speed taxi tests with and RTO test thrown in there the day before first flight.

Let me wrap up by linking you to Randy's Jounrnal (Randy Tinseth's Blog at Boeing). He has a great view of the first engine tests that occurred last week.

Guy's 20th 787 Update
Randy's Journal

Flightblogger: ZA001 intermediate gauntlet to start today

UPDATE: Flightblogger is reporting that gauntlet testing along with the pre-gauntlet engine tests won't start until tomorrow. Today was "Shop Gauntlet Work" that took place.

Flightblogger is reporting that intermediate gauntlet testing on ZA001 may start as early as mid day today.

Boeing was to have some engine runs today followed by pre-gauntlet test meetings following those engine runs.

If things look good then Boeing should start the intermediate gauntlet tests today starting with a simulated first flight profile test with simulated failures of the aircraft systems. Boeing had already run through the intermediate gauntlet tests on the integrated test vehicle (ITV).

Lastly, Jon reports that ZA002 ran through its gear swing tests and ZA004 and ZA005 have their engines. That's Trent 1000s for ZA004 and GEnx for ZA005.

Also it appears that the LCF is not delivering the main fuselage section for ZA100 today.

Jon's May 28th Update

787 News - May 28,2009

Not too much to report except:

1) Boeing booked 5 orders from an unidentified customer for the 787. No word on which type (-8 or -9) though that will probably be revealed in a couple of weeks when Boeing releases its monthly order and deliviery numbers. Interestingly Boeing also booked a cancellation of 5 767s at the same time so I wonder if the cancellation has anything to do with the order for 5 airplanes? The only airlines that have the 767 on order (passenger version) are ANA, JAL and Lan. These carriers also have already placed orders for the 787 as well.

2) The LCF is on its way to Everett this morning from Charleston. It might be carrying the main fuselage section for ZA100 though we'll know a little later today.

No word on the start of intermediate gauntlet testing yet.

Flightblogger: Details on revised gauntlet testing on ZA001

Jon Ostrower revealed some of Boeing's revised gauntlet testing timetable and how it impacts the ZA001's path to first flight.

First off the maturity of the systems, given all the testing that these systems had undergone during the delays allowed Boeing to get these systems to a more mature flight ready condition than would have otherwise been possible.

Further Boeing is supposed to start intermediate gauntlet testing as either today or tomorrow and will run 7 days. Originally intermediate gauntlet wasn't going to be as long but they essentially have moved certain final gauntlet tasks to the left of the schedule and made them part of the intermediate gauntlet testing and thus shortening the time needed for final gauntlet testing.

Jon explains that Boeing is able to do this because they figured out what testing can be done concurrently and what test are absolutely necessary prior to first flight.

Lastly, Matt Cawby reported that Boeing undertook two HF radio checks as well as running the RAT twice to verify RPM and amperage as well as testing the high lift control system for the flaps and slats.

Flightblogger report

Matt Cawby's report

Guy Norris: Intermediate Gauntlet May Start On May 28th.

UPDATE: The LCF did fly in the forward fuselage section for ZA100 (the first production 787 for ANA). All that's left is the main fuselage section and final assembly can start on this airplane.

Some news on the schedule for the 787 first flight. Guy Norris is saying that intermediate gauntlet could start as early as this Thursday (May 28th) but it seems that Boeing may still be finalizing the final content of the intermediate. Guy reported that a final pre-intermediate gauntlet test meeting has been pushed back until tomorrow from today.

Also Matt Cawby is reporting on his web site that ZA001 has undergone VHF/RF radio checks until about 2 PM Monday afternoon when they closed down for the Memorial Day holiday. Additionally, Matt reported that the APU was tested twice, once on right common motor controller starter and the other time on the electric motor pump circuit. Matt also said that full gear swing tests were conducted while the aircraft was in the air mode.

Guy's Report
Matt's Report

Finally, it looks like the LCF might be flying in the nose section for ZA100 this afternoon.

787: No rest for the weary on Memorial Day

Despite the Memorial Day Weekend, Boeing is still going full tilt is getting the 787 ready for its first flight. They have 36 days to get her in the air with gauntlet testing, low speed and high speed taxi runs still ahead for ZA001.

Guy Norris reported that VHF/RF tests were completed yesterday and today they're running verification tests of the systems test monitor devices.

Matt Cawby reports on his blog that controls surfaces were tested yesterday in the air mode using the center hydraulic system as well as cycling the right engine thrust reverser 30 times between the stowed and deployed positions.

Guy's Report

Matt's Report

Flightblogger: Road to first flight getting shorter than planned

Evidence of Boeing's increasing confidence of the maturity of the 787 systems and architecture is leading the company to push up testing of the systems of the aircraft and even shorten the gauntlet testing that is needed before first flight according to Jon Ostrower.

Jon quoted Scott Francher, VP and general manager of the 787 program saying that intermediate gauntlet testing is due to start in about two weeks but due to the maturity of the systems this testing would last about 7 days instead of 8 days. Intermediate testing involves running the engines 24 hours a day for 7 straight days and subjecting the 787 to simulated failures and challenges and observing the reactions.

Also some of the final gauntlet testing will be now moved into intermediate testing further demonstrating the maturity of the 787 systems.

Much of this maturity came about becuase of extensive systems integration testing in the Boeing labs during the production delays of the last two years.

Recently Jojn reported that the engines were run at various times on Thursday at times to 80% of thrust. Flight control hyrdaulics systems tests were conducted as well as the VHF/HF radio tests. Today (Friday) higher power tests were to be conducted.

Jon's Road to 787 First Flight Update - May 22nd

Boeing Press Release regarding engine run

Photo courtesy of Boeing

Here is Boeing Press Release from today's engine run:

Boeing Completes First 787 Dreamliner Engine Runs

EVERETT, Wash., May 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA continued to make steady progress toward the first flight of the 787 Dreamliner, completing the first engine runs on the all-new airplane. The occasion marks the first all-electric start of a commercial jetliner engine on a twin-aisle commercial jetliner; the engines had been started electronically in test facilities earlier.

Engine runs began at 9:30 a.m. (PDT) today and ended 40 minutes later. During initial engine runs, the engines are started and operated at various power settings to ensure all systems perform as expected. Today's engine run test began with the Auxiliary Power System providing power to start the two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. Basic systems checks continued throughout the test. The engines were powered down and inspected and will be restarted following a technical review. The team completed a vibration check and monitored the shutdown logic to ensure it functioned as expected.

"We were very pleased with the performance on the engines during this test," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. "We will now get ready for our intermediate and final gauntlet tests."

Liz Matzelle's Video of ZA001 First Engine Start

Dreamliner One Engine Start from Liz Matzelle on Vimeo.

First Pics of 787 engine start

Photos courtesy of Liz Matzelle

A very special thanks to Liz Matzelle for allowing me to upload her pics.

787 Engine Start Pics by Liz Matzelle

Interesting note: Liz Matzelle told me that the engines are SILENT when they're on. The frogs 100 ft away from her were louder than the engines. WOW!

787 Pre start activities on going

Guy Norris Updated his blog with Rolls Royce confirming that the engines are on. Guy also said that Boeing is speeding up ground testing with hydraulic testing slated for tomorrow. Intermediate gauntlet testing should start very soon.

Guy's blog posting.

UPDATE: ENGINES ARE ON!!!!

UPDATE: Jon Ostrower is reporting that intermediate gauntlet will start sooner than anticipated by Boeing. Good news! Also power on for ZA003 will occur very soon. Boeing is saying that gauntlet testing will be in the next two weeks and ground testing is progressing very rapidly. Also development work on the 787-9 has begun. Boeing plans to have firm configuration by the end of the 4th quarter of this year. Still planning on 10/month 787 production by mid-2012. Boeing have implemented several blocks of improvments in the production aircraft. First block has improvements mainly in the wing. Certification for lightening strikes is on going.

Pre start activities for the first start of the Trent 1000s are taking place. A fire truck has been moved up and the engine cowlings have been closed and locked. These pre start tests should soon lead to first engine start soon.

Dreamliner engines on?

UPDATE: Jon confirms that the test's last night was not engine start but the steps to engine start prior to actual ignition and start of the engines. Simply put, Boeing wanted to verify that fuel is flowing to the engines and that there are no issues prior to actually turning on the engines. Jon called it the "Braxton Hicks" engine start. Pretty Funny! Actual engine start and run at idle speeds should take place later this afternoon. I hope to have a video of it later on.

According to Flightblogger, ZA001 may have turned on it's Trent 1000 engines for the first time late last night (Thursday, May 20) and have them running at the idle setting but a comment left on Jon's post said it hadn't happened and that it was just spinning the engines and adding fuel. I'm still trying to find out what is happening.

Guy Norris also said that ZA002 is being prepared to go through factory gauntlet around this weekend and allow the aircraft ot be cleared for further gauntlet testing as well as fuel pad tests and roll out to the flight line.

Guy also reported that simulations are on going in the ITV (Integrated Test Vehicle) including simulations of the intermediate gauntlet tests that will take place shortly. Crews are also undertaking practice for ZA005 and ZA006 test flight in the ITV as well as testing the connection to the telemetry system that will download test data from the 787 test flight fleet to be processed and analyzed by the 787 flight test engineers.

Jon's Engine Report
Guy's 787 Update

Flightblogger: Engine pre-run tests on going, engine start test very soon

UPDATE: Jon is saying that it's looking more likely that the engine start will take place within the next 24 hours and odds are it'll be tomorrow.

Jon is reporting that Boeing has started engine pre-run tests on ZA001 and, depending on the results of those tests, can see the first start of the Trent 1000s later this afternoon. Stay Tuned!

Engine First Start Test

Liz Matzelle Video: APU and navigation lights tests

787 Lights and APU from Liz Matzelle on Vimeo.

Video Courtesy of Liz Matzelle

Flightblogger: First 787 engine start tests may be hours away

Jon Ostrower just posted saying that the first engine start tests may just be hours away as the road to 787 first flight continues on it's current pace. Roll Royce staff is on hand to assist Boeing with the engine start tests which is usually signaled when the residual oil is burnt away resulting in a cloud of white smoke.

Currently the limiting factor is the weather around the Everett area.

Additionally, Matt Cawby reported that ZA001 went through functional tests including APU fire shutdown, RAM deploy and thrust reverser deploy (for the right side). Each of these functional tests were conducted 10 times each.

Things are picking up at Everett.

Jon's Road to 787 First Flight
Matt Cawby's 787 Functional Test Report

Randy's Journal: 787 Update

Randy Tinseth, at Boeing, updated his blog "Randy's Journal" letting us know what is coming up next for the 787 on the road to first flight.

Also Matt Cawby reported that Boeing is/was troubleshooting a high current rate on the APU inlet door actuator motor. The electrical current is to high for some reason but it seems to be a minor issue. Also it has been reported by another blogger that a hydraulic line was accidentally broken by a worker allowing for a leak inside ZA001. The break has been repaired and there are no other issues. This run contrary to a rumor saying that was major problems with the fueling tests of the aircraft as well as the hydraulic tests.

These were nothing but false rumors. The plane is still continuing to an engine first start on either this Thursday or Friday.

Randy Tinseth Blog.

Guy Norris: Dreamliner 1 moved to parking stall on flightline

Guy Norris confirmed Dreamliner 1's move to parking stall 105 on the Boeing flightline. This is an important milestone prior to starting of the engines and the contiuation of gauntlet testing indicating that first flight is drawing closer.

I still continue to feel that mid June (June 19th) is a strong possibility for first flight though all that depends on how well the rest of the gauntlet testing goes in the weeks and days ahead.

Guy's Road to 787 first flight, part 14.

Liz Matzellle: 787 moved to parking spot on flightline

Pictures courtesy of Liz Matzelle

Liz Matzelle reported that Dreamliner 1 moved from FD-3 (fuel dock) to the flightline (it supposed to be spot 105).

Liz said she went inside the Future of Flight Cafe to upload pictures (ZA001 was still at the fuel dock) when she came outside, it was moved to the parking spot on the flightline. She also saw the lights on on the airplane and was on external power so evidently power was not coming from the APUs. You could see a couple of pictures above. Next would probably be more pre engine start tests this week. According to Jon Ostrower, first engines start should be around Thursday or Friday.

Liz Matzelle's 787 Picture album - May 16, 2009

Flightblogger: First 787 engine start around May 21st or 22nd

UPDATE: Jon has updated his blog to reflect new information he got. Dreamliner 1 will be at spot 105 as early as this Sunday but the engines won't actually be spooled up until next Thursday or Friday (May 21 or 22) at the earliest. They'll continue engine run tests through Memorial Day weekend gradually building up the thrust levels in the engines and testing the systems at different power setting on the engines. It is my belief that soon after Memorial Day, Boeing will be starting the intermediate gauntlet testing.

Jon got a lot of juicy details but the most important one is that Dreamliner 1 is due to turn on its Trent 1000s as early as this Sunday.

Right now it's going through final fuel tests along with fuel draining tests. It will then be fully fueled and towed to a remote parking spot by Sunday for the start of engine tests which should last about a week and a half according to Jon which will include high power engine runs that would take place around Memorial Day weekend.

Towards the end of these test, Boeing will initiate the intermediate gauntlet testing verifying the closed loop system of the 787s electrical architecture using both engine and APU power.

Lastly, Jon gave an update on ZA002 and ZA003.

ZA002 is back inside 40-24 where it is finishing up additional tests and then will be moved outside by the end of May to start that airplane on the road to its first flight. Jon says it's tracking closely behind ZA001 and may fly 20 days after ZA001. That would be a huge boost to the testing and certification plan.

ZA003 is now starting to get its passenger interior fitted inside (sounds like they're done with fastener reinstallation) this weekend.

Flightblogger May 15th Report

Flightglobal's 787 Photo gallery

Flightglobal has a special 787 photo gallery with some great pics from the first rollout almost 2 years ago to the pics of ZA002 painted up in ANA colors.

Flightglobal's 787 photo gallery

787 update

UPDATE (7:30PM EDT): Found out that hydraulic testing is on at 11 PM tonight and prep work in for those tests are on going.

Jon Ostrower just Tweeted that it appears that hydraulic testing on ZA001 is getting under way.
I do believe that ZA001 is still all alone at the fuel dock which I believe that first engine start is very close to taking place over the next couple of days. There probably won't be any other aircraft around when that happens (Boeing acting out of an abundance of caution).

Short update on 787 testing

Looks like there may not be a hyrdaulic test today. Not sure why but also it looks like they moved ZA002 away from the fuel dock. There was a picture on Matt Cawby's web site for a Delta 777 (taken today) and in the background you could only see ZA001 no other aircraft at the fuel dock. Perhaps they moved the other airplanes in advance of the engine tests? Not sure where ZA002 went.

Matt Cawby's picture today (look in the background)

Guy Norris: Hydraulics sytems activation may start soon; paves way for first engine tests

According to Aviation Week's Guy Norris, Boeing may activate the hydraulic systems on Dreamliner 1 as early as tonight which will pave the way for the first engine tests of the Trent 1000 and the start of intermediate gauntlet testing.


There has been a flurry of activity with the first APU start and now the hydraulic systems tests. We will know in the next few days if the engines are on...Look for white smoke to come out of the Trent 1000s when they're spooled up for the first time.

Guy's latest posting.

Dreamliner 2 Rollout

Dreamliner Two Rollout from Liz Matzelle on Vimeo.

Special thanks to Liz Matzelle for permission to embed her video.

Everett spotter Liz Matzelle got great video of the rollout of Dreamliner 2 out of the paint hangar to the Boeing Everett flight line (fuel dock). This is the first Dreamliner to be painted in a customer scheme and it looks fantastic. Looking closely at this video, it appears that the aircraft doesn't have it's engine nacelles on but rather the engines looked to be protected by some sort of plastic overwrap.

Matt Cawby also got a picture of Dreamliner 2 at the fuel dock near Dreamliner 1.

Fuel dock picture with the 787s.

This all follows Dreamliner 1 first APU start yesterday where it ran for 15 minutes.

UPDATE: Here are a couple of pics of ZA002 after it rolled out of the paint hangar. ZA002 has since been rolled into building 40-25 (767 final assembly) and ZA001 is all alone at the fuel dock. Special thanks to Chris Fotos for his help.

All photos courtesy of Boeing

Flightblogger: ZA001 has APU start!

Jon Ostrower is reporting that Everett area photographer Matt Cawby has gotten pictures of Dreamliner 1's APU stat. If so this is another major milestone taken on the road to first flight.

ZA001 APU start.

Matt Cawby's report

Go Atlantis!

Yesterday Atlantis lifted off for the 5th and final mission to service the Hubble space telescope. Here's a wonderful video of yesterdays spectacular liftoff.

ZA001 finally fueled up.

Flightblogger reports that Dreamliner 1 has been fully fueled for the first time. No word on if there were any issues but test are continuing on the fuel distribution system.

ZA001 first fueling.

Detective Flightblogger: 25 787s are from Royal Bank of Scotland

Jon Ostrower put on his detective hat and figured out the customer who had cancelled the order for 25 787-8 on April 30th. It was Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

Read it below:
Jon's Detective Work

Guy Norris: Fueling test to start very early Friday Morning (May 8)

According to Guy Norris, Boeing engineers will start the fuel pad tests, which were delayed from early this week, during the wee early hours of Friday (around 1am local time). If successfully completed the tests will pave the way for APU and engine run tests prior to the start of the intermediate gauntlet. Boeing had hoped to have started the intermediate gauntlet by now but I think it will be pushed to late next week.

Also Guy has reported that the ITV is getting quite a workout by the Boeing test flight team preparing for first flight of ZA001 and the test to be undertaken by the crew of ZA006.

Guy's Road to Flight First part 12

Boeing losses another 25 787 orders

Boeing released it's weekly order update and the news isn't good. There was a cancellation of 25 787s in the past week. It is not known whom the order(s) are from but I will try to find out.

See Boeing's Weekly order update here.

This is more shocking than learning that Manny Ramirez is taking 'roids.

UPDATE: ok I got more information. Apparently, the customer who placed an order for 23 787 in January 2008 (and for an earlier two in July 2006). This customer may not be an airline customer. This customer is in a bit of trouble which is leading to speculation that it could be ILFC.

UPDATE 2: I got a message from a very knowledgable industry source that it is NOT ILFC who cancelled the order.

UPDATE 3: Jon Ostrower is reporting that the customer who had cancelled the 25 787-8s was quite possibly an unidentified customer when the order was originally placed. Read Jon posting.

Guy Norris: Fueling tests to start soon; Flightblogger: fuel lines hooked up

Guy Norris, in a posting last night, said that the fueling tests should late tonight but that the schedule is slipping. An industry watcher told me that the fueling tests schedule is starting to slip again and may not occur until tomorrow.

Also Guy writes that General Electric is developing a new low pressure turbine for the GEnx 787 engine (GEnx-1b) to bring its specific fuel consumption (sfc) back into line with what was promised to customers. Right now the GEnx sfc is about 2 to 5 percent over what was promised. The Trent 1000 engines are about 5 percent over and Rolls Royce is also developing a new low pressure turbine to bring the sfc back into spec.

Rolls Royce new LP turbine is expected to be delivered this fall and fitted on ZA004 (I don't know if its also going to be on the first 787s to be delivered though). GE's LP turbine should be ready for delivery starting in the 1st quarter of 2011.

You can read Guy's article here.

UPDATE (May 6, 2009; 3:40pm) Jon Ostrower that fuel trucks are parked next to Dreamliner 1 with fuel lines attached to both fuel panels on either side of the airplane. Boeing will also pump in nitrogen to test the fuel inerting system which was designed into the 787. Fill 'er up!

That fat bloated feeling

After all the positive news about the 787 including rollout to the flightline, Bernstein Research issued a report out on Friday which threw a little cold water on the fire. Their main conclusions are as follows:

1. Weight issues on the first few 787s will limit the range on those aircraft by as much as 15%
2. First delivery won't occur to ANA in 1st quarter 2010 (indication of Boeing being overconfident in their certification schedule)
3. Boeing won't be able to ramp up to a production rate of 10/month until mid 2013 at the earliest. Boeing has said they plan to be at that rate by the end of 2012.

Guy Norris wrote an excellent piece on these issues in an Aviation Week Article

Jon Ostrower posted an great bit of analysis of the weight problem on the 787 essentially verifying Bernsteins' conclusion on the range effect. Jon's 787 Weight Analysis

Lastly, Air Transport World reported on Boeing's response to all this whereby they maintain that the range on the 787-8 will be about 8000 nm rather than being under 7000 nm from Bernsteins' report. Read ATW's Boeing Response Article.

UPDATE: Jon Ostrower posted a great article on the 787 weight issues and Boeing's response:

787 weight/Boeing responds

Flightblogger: No gas yet and other musing.

Some real good information came from Jon Ostrower today regarding the progress of the 787 program.

Jon was able to post that Dreamliner 1 has not yet started fueling tests but that final checks are being done prior to the start of those tests.

Dreamliner 2 will be painted in ANA colors ('m wondering about the other 4 test airplanes now) and will be going back to the factory (building 40-24) around the middle of he month. It'll be super cool to se a Dreamliner is a customer livery!

Dreamliner 5 will have its GEnx engines hung soon. the engines were delivered last Friday. I saw a picture that Jon had posted showing Dreamliner 4, at the time without its engines but with a Trent 1000 behind the aircraft. I opining that those Trents are now hanging off Dreamliner 4 by now.

There should be a line move coming very soon allowing for Dreamliner 7 (ZA100) to begin final assembly once the two remaining fuselage sections arrive into Everett.

Jon's May 5th 787 Update.

The Road Ahead

Now that the 787 is out on the flightline ready for fueling test, what is the road ahead for the 787 and first flight. I talked to a leading industry journalist and we speculated as to what is ahead and how long it will take to get through the tests. All this assumes that the 787 passes each test and gauntlet. This is a best case scenario and there is a good chance that this scenario is too good to be true.

We all know that fueling tests should occur later this week, perhaps by Tuesday, May 5th (Happy Cinqo de Mayo). Assuming that there are no issues with the fueling and calibration tests, the 787 should be ready for APU and engine run up tests to take place possibly sometime between May 6th and May 8th. This will lead to intermediate gauntlet testing, possibly as early as this weekend (May 9th or 10th). Lastly, final gauntlet could take place by around mid May which would take a little bit more than a week which would lead to taxi and braking tests around late May and first flight soon thereafter.

Please be reminded this is all speculative and all this assumes no show stoppers or need for retests. Is it possible, yes but as we saw with the landing gear swing tests, there is plenty of potential for glitches or unknown unknowns to show up.

Boeing's recent 787 statements

Aside from the blogger and aviation journalists talking about the recent progress in the 787 program, Boeing obviously has something to say.

First off is a link to Boeing press release announcing that ZA001 is out at the fuel dock ready to proceed to the next round of tests.

Boeing Press Release

Next up is a couple of posting from Randy Tinseth first one is showing some photos of ZA001 in the paint hangar:

In the paint

and the last is Randy's posting on ZA001 coming out to the flight line at Everett:

Dream On

That's Boeing's recent words on their composite creation!

787 Rollout video

Dreamliner Rollout Full from Liz Matzelle on Vimeo.

Jon Ostrower has linked to Liz Matzelle's video of Dreamliner 1 rolling out to the fuel dock. Here it is and it's agreat video that last about nine and a half minutes. Enjoy!