Aircraft

Boeing has narrowed the timing for the 777 Freighter’s first flight milestone to a 12-day window starting on 27 June.

The first take-off is scheduled to occur some time from 27 June to 9 July. The precise date will depend on the results of a series of pre-flight checks, including ground taxi tests, and weather conditions.

The announced window means Boeing will achieve the milestone for the three-year-old development programme on schedule or very close. First flight has been scheduled for June 2008 since the beginning.

Boeing rolled-out the first assembled 777F during a 21 May ceremony at the factory in Everett, Washington.

Two 777Fs are scheduled to complete the flight test phase by the end of the year, despite potentially overlapping flight test schedules with the 787. First flight for the 787 is now expected in the fourth quarter.