It’s been a busy week for the 787 program in Everett, no different really from the 103 busy weeks that preceded it, and no different from the busy weeks that will follow.
Starting this weekend, ZA002 will undergo ground vibration testing inside the 787 assembly line in Building 40-26. The testing will validate
the aeroelastic and aeroservoelastic characteristics of the Dreamliner and examine flutter stability of the wing ahead of the fight test campaign.
ZA002 has had all the electrostatic discharge equipment removed and the aircraft is now sitting on shaker actuators, according to a program source. Dominic Gates of the Seattle Times also discusses the electrostatic tests that were just completed on ZA002 in an article published today.
Aviation Week also reports that ZA001 is running through additional checks of the flight control systems:
This work, which is
also known by some engineers as flight controls operating tests, is a
run-through of all the linkages (mechanical and electric) connecting
the flight deck with the ailerons, flaperons, rudder, elevators and
high-lift devices.
At the conclusion of these tests, Dreamliner One will again be lifted off its landing gear for final swing tests, also planned for the coming days.
This weekend also marks two years since the LCF touched down and unloaded the first Alenia-built horizontal stabilizer for ZA001 on April 25, 2007.
If all goes as planned, Dreamliner One should roll out to the flight line on Sunday.
ALSO SEE: Here to there: 787 pre-first flight milestones explained
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.