Final assembly begins on third 787 test plane
By Staff | May 06, 2008
The Boeing Co. (Seattle, Wash.) announced on May 1 that is has begun final assembly on the third flight-test airplane for the 787 Dreamliner.
This is the fifth Dreamliner to be loaded into the first position of the 787 production system. The static test airframe moved from the Final Assembly to its test rig in another bay of the Everett, Wash.-based factory on April 25. Both the fatigue test airframe and the second flight-test airplane have advanced to the next position in production, where assembly and systems installation work continues.
“We are receiving assemblies that are much more complete,” said Jack Jones, vice president of 787 Final Assembly and Change Incorporation. Jones replaces Steve Westby, who retired from Boeing yesterday after a 31-year career. “The second flight-test airplane had a 50 percent reduction in the amount of incomplete work as compared to the first airplane. ‘Traveled work’ on this airplane is 65 percent less than on the first.”
After assembly is complete, this airplane will be fitted with an interior as part of the comprehensive flight-test program and certification process. “When that happens this summer, it will be the first time we’ll see the 787 in what is close to a final delivery configuration,” Jones said.
The first airplane to fly is on track for “power on” in June.
Around the world, 25 airplanes are in various stages of production. This number includes the static and fatigue airframes, which will not be delivered to customers. Since its launch in April 2004, the 787 Dreamliner has amassed nearly 900 firm orders valued at $151 billion from 58 airlines.
