Third aircraft joins Dreamliner flight test programme

A third aircraft has joined the Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight test programme.

ZA004, the fourth flight test aircraft to be built, took off at 11:43 am local time from Paine Field in Everett, Wash. The programme plan called for ZA004 to fly before ZA003 because the data ZA004 is collecting is needed more quickly both for certification and development of the 787-9.

Captains Heather Ross and Craig Bomben completed a three hour, two minute flight at 2:45 pm landing at Boeing Field in Seattle. Flight test personnel were also on board to monitor aircraft performance.

“Airplane No. 4 operated flawlessly today,” Ross said after landing. “We've got a lot of work ahead of us but I can't imagine a better start to the flight test programme for this airplane.”

Ross will serve as chief pilot for ZA004. This aircraft will be used to accomplish the following types of tests: aerodynamics, high speed performance, propulsion performance, flight loads, community noise and extended operations and other test conditions.

“We are continuing to make good progress on the flight test programme,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 programme, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The team is staying focused and disciplined in keeping the priority on safety and execution of the plan.”

www.boeing.com