Boeing Dreamliner to get airborne?

BOEING has moved a step nearer the promised 2009 maiden flight of the 787 Dreamliner with the announcement that the company has completed installing reinforcements within the side-of-body section on the flying prototype.  The modification entailed installing new fittings at 34 stringer locations within the joint where the wing is attached to the fuselage.  The plan is for the flight-test team to perform another set of gauntlet and taxi tests to ensure that all systems are ready.  Once that is completed all that remains is a single high-speed taxi test.  The first flight of aircraft number two is likely to follow within days. www.boeing.com/commercial

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