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EVERETT, Wash., March 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) today completed the ultimate-load wing up-bending test on the 787 Dreamliner static test unit. During the testing, loads were applied to the airframe to replicate 150 percent of the most extreme forces the airplane is ever expected to experience while in service. The wings were flexed upward by approximately 25 feet (7.6 meters) during the test.

The initial results of the ultimate-load test are positive. More extensive analysis and review are required before the test can be deemed a success.

“The test program has been more robust than any conducted on a Boeing commercial jetliner,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “It has taken countless hours of hard work by the Boeing team and our partners to work through the static test program. Everyone who has been involved in this effort over the past several years should be very proud of their contributions to ensuring the safety of the 787 Dreamliner.

“We are looking forward to the technical team’s report on the details of the test results,” said Fancher. It will take them several weeks to work through all of the data.
During each second of the more than two-hour test, thousands of data points were collected to monitor the performance of the wing. Key data points are monitored real-time during the test, but all of the data will be evaluated in the weeks ahead.

EVERETT, Wash., Oct. 4 — The final Boeing 787 Dreamliner to join the flight test fleet made its first flight today from Paine Field in Everett, Wash. The airplane, ZA006, is the second 787 equipped with General Electric GEnx engines to fly.

Captains Christine Walsh and Bill Roberson were at the controls during the 1 hour and 4 minute flight. The airplane landed at Boeing Field at 12:45 p.m. (Pacific time).

“It’s great to have our last flight test airplane join the fleet,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. “We have been focused on completing the testing required for certification of the 787 with Rolls-Royce engines, because that is the first model we deliver. A great deal of the testing that we’ve done also applies to the 787s with GE engines and won’t need to be repeated,” said Fancher.

There is, however, a smaller portion of testing that is unique to the engine/airframe combination. In general, this portion includes noise testing, extreme weather operations, function and reliability, and extended operations. In addition, testing to verify the airplane handles the same regardless of engine type and that the systems work on both models is required.

Some additional flight tests will be performed on one of the production airplanes, the ninth 787 to be built, but it is not considered a full-time member of the flight test fleet.
787 Testing Progress Report

In addition to achieving first flight of ZA006, the Boeing test team has completed a number of flight test milestones in recent weeks.

Boeing wrapped up a series of natural and artificial icing tests, meeting all requirements with no changes required. Pilots reported that the airplane continues to handle well even in the presence of ice.
Flight loads survey testing, which demonstrates the pressure distribution on the airplane structure throughout the phases of flight in a variety of configurations, also has been completed. The team conducted this testing on ZA004 primarily at the airport at Victorville, Calif. Analysis of this testing continues.

A dramatic series of tests that stress the airplane’s brakes, called maximum brake energy testing, was completed in late September at Edwards Air Force Base, also in California. ZA001 conducted this testing as well as a series of extreme takeoff and landing conditions including minimum takeoff speed testing. Earlier in the month, ZA001 completed wet runway testing at Roswell, NM.
ZA003 flew to Glasgow, Mont., to complete community noise testing. All results were within expectations.

As a result of these tests and others, all takeoff performance and handling characteristics testing is complete for the initial version of the 787. Additional testing will be required for 787s equipped with GE engines.

The 787 flight test program has logged more than 1,900 hours over 620 flights and completed more than 65 percent of the flight test conditions for 787s with Rolls-Royce engines.
Equally important to the testing required in the air is the ground testing required to certify a new airplane. Boeing has completed well over 4,000 hours of ground testing on the same airplanes that are in the flight test program.

In addition, fatigue testing has started at a test rig in Everett. Fifteen flights have been simulated. Federal regulations require Boeing to conduct twice as many flight cycles as any airplane in revenue service. Boeing plans to have completed 10,000 flight cycles prior to first delivery.
“We continue to be extremely satisfied with the performance of the 787 in its testing operations,” said Fancher. “This airplane handles wonderfully and will be a valuable tool for our customers.”

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Feb. 11, 2011 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] on Feb. 10 received two awards from the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) at the Joseph P. Cribbins Aviation Product Symposium in Huntsville: the Materiel Readiness Awards for a Major Contractor and for an Industry Team.
“Capturing both these Materiel Readiness Awards is recognition for our efforts to support U.S. Army Aviation,” said Jim O’Neill, Boeing vice president and general manager of Integrated Logistics. “Our support programs are designed to produce readiness results for our customers, and these results have been outstanding.”

Boeing received the Major Contractor award for the readiness provided by the company’s AH-64D Apache Performance-Based Logistics team and the Boeing Chinook Interim Contractor Support team, both parts of Boeing Rotorcraft Support.

The AAAA’s Materiel Readiness Award for an Industry Team, Group or Special Unit went to the Boeing CH-47 Interim Contractor Support team. Over the past year, this team has supported the Army’s CH-47F Cargo Helicopter Program Management Office and Chinook Combat Aviation brigades through support at the Boeing Aircraft Modification Center in Millville, N.J., and 10th Mountain Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Drum, N.Y., via embedded field service representatives, and through logistics support representatives and asset managers providing components and materials anywhere in the world.
The Aircraft Modification Center at Millville received a separate award from the U.S. Army Cargo Helicopter Project Office at the symposium for the team’s modification of 31 CH-47F Chinooks in 2010.

Boeing Rotorcraft Support is a subdivision of Integrated Logistics, a division of the Boeing Global Services & Support business. It includes AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook, H-46 Sea Knight and V-22 Osprey support programs as well as United Kingdom Rotorcraft Support and Ground Forces Support Solutions. It provides tailored, innovative solutions that maximize global readiness for customers around the world.