Work to prepare the Boeing 787 flight-trial airframes for the test programme is intensifying at the airframer's plant in Everett, Washington ahead of the planned maiden sortie before year end.
Boeing will begin installation of the side-of-body reinforcement to the first aircraft (ZA001) this week to return full static strength to the wing. The second Dreamliner (ZA002), which is painted in the colours of launch operator All Nippon Airways (but will not be delivered to the airline) has recently conducted three days of taxi tests.
Earlier this month, the fourth flight-test 787 (ZA004) was moved to Boeing's temporary facility at Aviation Technical Services where it will undergo the side-of-body modifications.
 |
|---|
© Boeing |
Source: Flight International
