FlightBlogger Archive 2007-2012

787 heads south for the winter in search of high and low ground

Written by

Jon Ostrower

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Boeing 787 Dreamliner N787FT ZA005

Earlier today, Boeing’s fifth 787, ZA005 left Albuquerque, New Mexico enroute to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. The first GEnx-powered 787 landed around 5pm local time at the airport, which features the longest runway in the Caribbean. ZA005 is currently undertaking a campaign of high altitude tests at varying temperatures also known as Lapse Rate Takeoff (LRTO) testing, which sources say is being undertaken in three phases.

The first phase, now complete, was a series of tests at Albuquerque International Sunport’s 13,000ft long runway that sits at 5,355ft above sea level for the mid-altitude portion of the trials.
ZA005 has returned to sea level for the low-altitude portion of the testing with its visit to the 11,702ft long runway at Rafael Hernandez International Airport in Aguadilla and will remain in Puerto Rico through the week.  
At the close of this week, ZA005 will head to El Alto Airport in La Paz, Bolivia for the final high-altitude portion of the tests. Interestingly, the airport also goes by the name John F. Kennedy International Airport.

What distinguishes this particular airport from others in the world is its 13,325ft elevation above sea level and its 13,125ft long runway making it one of the highest points on Earth served by a commercial aircraft. It will also be 787’s first time touching down on South American soil.

This post was originally published to the internet between 2007 and 2012. Links, images, and embedded media from that era may no longer function as intended.

This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.

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