The 787 hits the cold…
Boeing’s third test 787 has entered a two-week phase of extreme weather tests at McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida as part of the aircraft’s type certification effort.
The testing will expose the aircraft to heat as high as 115F degrees (46C) and as low as -45F (-43C). Boeing says once the aircraft (ZA003), is stabilized at either the hot or cold temperatures, flight test technicians will follow the 787 maintenance manual to prepare it for flight release and operate under these conditions. “Sensors and monitors will allow the test team to determine if all systems hardware and software operate as expected,” adds the manufacturer.
Cold-weather testing is being conducted first, with preliminary hot-weather testing to follow. Additional extreme-weather testing will be conducted later in the flight test program, much of it centered around flights of the test aircraft to areas of hot and cold weather.
The test comes as Boeing receives the long-anticipated FAA expanded type inspection authorization (TIA) for the 787, and at the same time has announced the finalization of the aircraft’s aerodynamic configuration.
Expanded TIA clears the way for flight test personnel to fully participate in future test flights and marks a major milestone on the road to certification. Initial TIA was granted Feb. 11, which supported the collection of flutter certification data using the first 787 (ZA001). However, the award of what is termed the ‘expanded’ TIA confirms the FAA’s assessment “that the airplane and team are ready to collect additional certification data. Boeing achieved the expansion by demonstrating the readiness of the airplane throughout a variety of speeds, altitudes and configurations,” says Boeing in a statement.
Boeing also says it has finalized the aerodynamic configuration of the 787. “We have completed sufficient testing to decide that no additional changes to the external lines or shape of the airplane are required,” says Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. “Having an airplane match its expected performance with so few changes is rare and speaks to the maturity of the design.” ZA001 is currently in a scheduled lay-up undergoing maintenance and software upgrades, as is ZA002. The fourth test aircraft (ZA004) rejoined the flight test effort on April 21. The aircraft, the last of the four Rolls-Royce Trent 1000-powered test fleet, undertook flight control system and cruise trim tests.
