Boeing today announced that they have completed installing reinforcements within the side-of-body section on the first 787 Dreamliner.
The modification entails installing new fittings at 34 stringer locations within the joint where the wing is attached to the fuselage. Installations were completed yesterday.
Boeing expects to complete the installations on the static test airframe and the second flight-test airplane in the coming days.
After airplane No. 1 is restored, the flight-test team will perform another set of gauntlet and taxi tests to ensure that all systems are ready for flight. Fancher noted that with the exception of a single high-speed taxi test, all remaining first flight activities have been successfully completed on the first flight-test airplane.
First flight of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is still scheduled for the end of this year.
Source: Boeing
Photo: Boeing
Nice photos! There’s some more nice shots of 787 development here:
http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/jetliner/b787/
Is the plane still likely to enter service in 2010?
Yes, according to Boeing, the service entry is still scheduled to the fourth quarter of 2010