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Boeing Completes
Flight Testing For Certification Of 787s With GE Engines By Steve Hall |
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March 8, 2012 - Boeing has completed all flight tests
expected to be required for type certification of the
787-8 Dreamliner with General Electric GEnx engines.
This marks the end of all certification flight testing
associated with the baseline model of the 787.
Testing on engine and airframe improvements will
continue as needed, as it does for all airplane
programs. Ground testing to complete certification
requirements has also concluded.
"The last phase of testing focused on extended
operations onboard a production airplane," said Mike
Sinnett, vice president and chief project engineer, 787
program. "The airplane performed beautifully during this
testing, further demonstrating its reliability." |
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Flight
testing is one of many elements reviewed by the U.S. Federal
Aviation Administration before it certifies a new airplane type.
Certification of the 787 Dreamliner with Rolls-Royce engines was
completed in August 2011. Each new combination of airframe type
and engine requires additional certification.
"I want to
congratulate all of the men and women of Boeing and our partners
who helped support our flight test program," Sinnett said. "They
have completed the most robust, thorough flight test program in
our history."
The Boeing
787 Dreamliner features a wide array of passenger amenities
including larger windows, cleaner air, higher humidity and a
lower cabin altitude. The 787-8 is the base model of the 787
family, with a length of 186 feet (57 m) and a wingspan of 197
feet (60 m) and a range of 7,650 to 8,200 nautical miles (14,200
to 15,200 km), depending on seating configuration.
The 787-8 seats 210 passengers in a three-class
configuration. The variant was the first of the 787 line to
enter service, entering service in 2011. Boeing is targeting
the 787-8 to replace the 767-200ER and 767-300ER, as well as
expand into new non-stop markets where larger planes would
not be economically viable. Two thirds of 787 orders are for
the 787-8.
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