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Boeing tests the Dreamliner

Boeing tests the Dreamliner Boeing has announced that it is to run test flights for its new 787 Dreamliner towards the end of this year.

The Dreamliner is already the fastest selling commercial plane in the history of aviation thanks to its revolutionary technology and broad appeal.

Etihad Airways ordered 35 Dreamliners and ten Boeing 777 planes at this week's Farnborough Airshow in a deal which amounts to $9.4 billion (£4.7 billion).

This forms part of the 279 orders that have been placed during 2008 alone for the aircraft with Virgin Atlantic, First Choice, and British Airways already among customers.

Boeing has so far received 896 orders for the Dreamliner from over 54 separate operators with Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways the first expected to start commercial operations with the plane.

Pat Shanahan, Boeing vice president and manager of the Dreamliner programme, said that they are "currently in the build-verification testing process, which validates electronics and hardware on the airplane to make sure they are functioning properly".

"Things will really get exciting when we fuel the airplane and start the engines and APU for the first time."

"After that, we'll move forward into gauntlet testing, which is a series of ground-based tests where we trick the airplane's systems into thinking that it is airborne."

"Then we'll conduct taxi tests and the airplane will take to the skies," he added.

The Dreamliner features various innovations in terms of passenger comfort alongside technical advances generating 20 per cent improved performances on fuel efficiency.

Airline News posted on 17 July 2008

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