Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES
First flight of the stretched 757-300 has slipped three weeks and is now planned for about 24 July, because of "production related issues", says Boeing.
The manufacturer says that the aircraft "-is not the problem", but that overall production issues at the site in Renton, Washington, are causing hold-ups at the start of the 757-300 flight test programme. "We are just trying to get it finished on time," says Boeing.
The 54.4m (178ft) long -300 - 7.1m longer than its -200 stablemate - was originally planned to make its maiden flight on 1 July. The delay means that the second test aircraft, in the livery of launch customer Condor, will follow it into the air almost immediately.
The two will be joined shortly afterwards by the third -300 in a short flight test programme of about 725 flight hours, which is expected to culminate with type certification in mid-December. Despite the first flight delay, Boeing is still optimistic of displaying one of the three aircraft at this year's Farnborough air show in early September.
Boeing engineers, meanwhile, are testing a landscape camera system mounted in the belly of the -300. This option, chosen by Condor, is believed to be the first time such a system has been used on a Boeing narrowbody.
Source: Flight International
