Boeing to bring 787 to Farnborough, happy with flight testing progress

Boeing is planning to fly a 787 to next month's Farnborough Airshow before returning it to the US to continue with the flight test program that recently passed the 1,000-hr. mark.

While the manufacturer has yet to make a formal announcement, ATW understands that planning is well advanced to fly flight test aircraft ZA003 to the UK on Sunday July 18 to participate in the show. It will return to the US on July 19 or 20.

The 787 flight test program now involves five aircraft, with the GEnx-powered ZA005 completing its first flight last week (ATW Daily News, June 18). The fleet has achieved 1,054 hr. 40 min. in the air, with ZA001 the high-time machine with 384 hr. 20 min. from 139 flights. That number is followed closely by ZA002 with 359 hr. 5 min from 104 flights. 

In all, the fleet has made 323 flights. The trip to Farnborough will be the first for the Dreamliner outside the US. Boeing said the 787 is now 40% through required test conditions to certify the first version of the aircraft later this year.

"More work remains but we are seeing excellent progress," VP and GM-787 Program Scott Fancher said. "Even more important than the hours we've logged are the test conditions we have completed. The team is being very efficient in getting the data we need…It's also important to note that we are making solid progress on the ground testing required on the flight test fleet as well."

The final flight test aircraft, GEnx-powered ZA006, is due to fly for the first time on July 13.