Boeing’s third 787 test aircraft (ZA003) resumed test flights over the weekend, completing the return-to-flight process for the six-strong fleet following its grounding in November in the wake of an electrical fire on ZA002.
ZA003, which is focused on interiors and cabin systems certification, undertook a ground pressurization test on Monday and later this week is scheduled to perform certification work connected with the Halon fire extinguisher system.
Together with other missions set for the fleet on Feb 1, this test is expected to see the overall tally pass the 900 flight milestone as test hours climb beyond 2,700 hr. for the first time.
The first General Electric GEnx-1B-powered 787 (ZA005) is currently undertaking lapse rate take-off tests from El Alto Airport in La Paz, Bolivia, and is scheduled to return to the U.S. on Feb. 3. Take-off performance demonstrations from El Alto’s 13,123 ft.-long runway are a key part of the envelope expansion of the test program as the airport is situated in the Andes at an elevation of 13,325 ft., making it one of the highest international airports in the world.
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