787 Dreamliner begins final flight testing

Posted by John McHaleEVERETT, Wash., 29 June 2011. Boeing (NYSE: BA) officials have begun testing for function and reliability (F&R) and extended operations (ETOPS) demonstrations on the 787 aircraft, which marks the final phase of 787flight testing prior to certifying the airplane.F&R testing simulates various normal and non-normal operations for the 787 aircraft, in realistic airline-like flight environments. ETOPS has to do with extended operations -- for twin jets or flights that are more than one hour away from a suitable landing field. During ETOPS demonstrations Boeing experts validate the airplane's ability to safely divert for different reasons, including long diversions with one engine shut down.In addition to 787 F&R and ETOPS testing with Rolls Royce engines, Boeing officials are continuing certification testing on 787s with General Electric engines and will conduct a separate F&R/ETOPS test program for that airplane version. Other activities including examining potential technologies for the 787-9 and testing engine improvement packages will continue.