Boeing's lead 787 flight test aircraft, ZA001, is bound for Edwards Air Force Base in southern California on Monday to begin a phase in the flight test campaign that will see the new composite jetliner conduct some of its most arduous flying.
The aircraft is slated to depart Boeing Field for Edwards around 8:00 AM PT for the hour and forty-five minute flight to California. While at Edwards, ZA001 will conduct velocity minimum unstick testing (Vmu) to establish the minimum flying speeds for the 787 at various weights and flap settings.
For these tests, ZA001 will rotate as soon as the aircraft's elevators become aerodynamically effective, pitching the 787's nose upward, striking the tail - affixed with a specialized tail dragger - on the runway. Flight test crews will establish the minimum performance for the aircraft, as the aircraft picks up speed and the aircraft begins to fly.
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