Tuesday, August 16, 2011

No official word from Boeing on end of tests for 787.

By Michelle Dunlop, Herald Writer

The Boeing Co. expected to wrap up flight testing on its 787 Dreamliner last weekend, clearing the way for regulatory approval on the new jet.

But, on Tuesday, Boeing still wasn't ready to confirm that flight testing is complete.

"We will announce the end of flight test when we're sure we've completed it," said Boeing spokeswoman Lori Gunter.

Airlines and aviation enthusiasts are watching Boeing's every move on its 787, a jet that is expected to use 20 percent less fuel than similarly sized aircraft. After more than three years of delays, Boeing intends to deliver the first Dreamliner next month to Japan's All Nippon Airways.

Jim Albaugh, president of Boeing's commercial airplanes division, said last Thursday that the company had just 24 hours of flight testing left to do on the Dreamliner. He predicted that Boeing would complete those tests last weekend.

After Boeing finishes flight tests, the company will submit documentation to the Federal Aviation Administration for its approval. Japan's aviation regulatory agency also must sign off on the 787 before ANA can fly the jet commercially.

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