Air Transport

Boeing has announced the 787 aircraft’s composite fuselage barrel completed ultimate load testing, a key milestone on the path toward first flight.

The Chicago-based airframer’s engineers are now inspecting a barrel section that endured a “destruct-condition maneuver” beyond two and half times the force of gravity.

The engineering team is now analyzing test results, which included acoustic “popping and snapping” yet less visible destruction of the barrel than anticipated, Boeing says in a statement.

Despite completing the required test program for certification, Boeing plans to continue testing for “additional learning”. Also, more static testing on a full airplane structure is also required before first flight.

The 787’s all-composite fuselage composed of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) material marks an all-new design feature for a large airliner.

The load testing period is intended to validate that the fuselage can survive the most extreme conditions that an airliner faces over its lifetime.

Boeing previously scheduled the 787 program to complete load testing before August 2007, the original first flight date.

“As flight has moved so have other things,” a Boeing spokeswoman says.

The 787’s first flight is now scheduled for late June and first delivery to launch customer All Nippon Airways is planned in early 2009.

Source: flightglobal.com's sister premium news service Air Transport Intelligence news