Jason Ford

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Aircraft testing reaches milestone

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Boeing has completed initial airworthiness testing on the 787 Dreamliner, a significant milestone that will allow extra crew members to take part in flights and more aircraft to join the flight-test programme.

The Dreamliner made its first flight in mid-December 2009 and has conducted 15 flights since that time.

In nearly 60 hours of flying, Dreamliner flight crew have taken the airplane to an altitude of 30,000ft (9,144m) and a speed of Mach 0.65.

Initial stall tests and other dynamic manoeuvres have been run, as well as an extensive check-out of the airplane’s systems.

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 40,000ft (12,192m) and a speed of Mach 0.85.

Flight testing will continue in the months ahead and the first delivery is planned for the fourth quarter of this year.