This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.The world is a buzz with news dripping out of the Pacific Northwest as Boeing's first 787 Dreamliner is on the verge of starting its Trent 1000 engines for the first time.
Pre-run tests are scheduled for Thursday morning ahead of engine start that could come as early as
The 'more-electric' architecture of the 787 will start the engines electrically, rather than drawing bleed air for the start. The system replaces pipes and valves for the bleed air system with cables and contactors.
In a very simplified way, the electrical power sources - the tail cone's auxiliary power unit or an external ground car - convert electrical power with two 250 kVA variable frequency starter generators (VFSGs) that sit on gearboxes and act as motors to begin spinning up the engine.
UPDATE 3:35 PM ET: Well, it's not Thursday today. I'll look back on this moment and laugh, but in the meantime, I'll just cringe that I didn't know what day of the week it really was. So, yes, it's Wednesday. However, seeing as I just earned an additional 24-hours on my week, I can safely say that engine start will be in the next 24 hours, with all outward signs pointing to Thursday (real Thursday, unlike fake Thursday - aka Wednesday).
ZA001 - Taken 11:51 AM PT:
Photo Credit Liz Matzelle
on May 20, 2009 1:26 PM | Reply
Jon said, "The system replaces pipes and valves for the bleed air system with cables and contactors."
Jon,
I heard something about "solid state power controllers" or something like that on the 787. Is it true or does it have mechanical/thermal contactors?
on May 20, 2009 3:21 PM | Reply
Jon,
Your post is a little confusing: you say "pre-run tests are scheduled for Thursday morning ahead of engine start which could come as early as this afternoon (Wednesday)"......did you get your days mixed up?
Thanks and keep up the good work
Alex
on May 20, 2009 3:28 PM | Reply
Yikes Alex, I'm almost afraid to admit this, but I think I may have just realized it's Wednesday today. Who votes I need a break?
I'll update it accordingly, first engine run will happen in the next 24 hours, that I'm virtually certain of. It could come this afternoon, it could come tomorrow. We're very much inside the window, those pre-run tests could get moved up to today (Wednesday-eek).
It's still May, right?
Jon
on May 20, 2009 3:41 PM | Reply
Whats the chance of us hearing an audio clip of the start-up? I'm so curious as to what the new enjin start-up will sound like compared to normal enjins... and if there will be a difference at all.
on May 20, 2009 3:51 PM | Reply
Break! No, most definitely not! Jon, I am afraid to break this to you. But I think most of your blog readers want you and your desk chained to the nose wheel of the ZA001 so we can get instant up dates.
on May 20, 2009 4:28 PM | Reply
Jon, For the folks in Kabul it is now Thursday Morning.
on May 20, 2009 4:53 PM | Reply
I'm pretty sure engine start will be on a day ending with "Y" - unless it's tomorrow.
on May 20, 2009 5:28 PM | Reply
Jon,
What happens after they start? Do they start them several times?
Then what happens? Do they immediately start the intermediate gauntlet testing?
on May 20, 2009 6:45 PM | Reply
@jerry1t: After they start each engine, they will make sure they are running properly and receiving accurate engine telemetry. They will run each engine for 15-30 minutes then they will shut it down to do a quick visual inspection to make sure nothing is leaking. Once they confirm everything is okay they will start running through the carefully scripted test cards for the engines.
on May 20, 2009 7:10 PM | Reply
Hopefully our hard work will pay off! As Boeing flies, so does my 401k... ;-)
J.
Boeing Portland 85-01
on May 20, 2009 7:15 PM | Reply
@Vero Venia: Yes on both accounts. It has solid state devices which do power conversion, and mechanical switchgear to control routing.
Jon, minor correction. Your sentence "...the electrical power sources - the tail cone's auxiliary power unit or an external ground car - convert electrical power with..." would be better said, "the electrical power sources - the tail cone's auxiliary power unit or an external ground car - provide power to..."
/Bill
on May 20, 2009 9:56 PM | Reply
Hopefully our hard work will pay off! As Boeing flies, so does my 401k... ;-)
You are right there J. Pulling for the 787 and my 401k from STL.
on May 21, 2009 9:53 AM | Reply
Jon:
With its ability to maintain higher cabin humidities, is there a "humiditification system" that is unique to the 787?
on May 21, 2009 11:15 AM | Reply
C'mon and show me the white smoke.... This plane is going to make or break 2010.
J.
Boeing Portland 85-01
on May 21, 2009 8:29 PM | Reply
You have your 401K in Boeing stock? You really need to diversify as soon as possible. Your pay and retirement go as Boeing goes. Adding in the 401K, that's too much risk to have all your eggs in one basket.