787 Dreamliner enters final phase of flight testing

Chicago: Boeing Co said Monday its new 787 Dreamliner aircraft had begun final phase of flight testing and reiterated that the model would be ready for delivery in August or September of this year.

Boeing began function and reliability testing and ETOPS demonstrations on the 787, noting it was entering the "final phase of flight testing prior to certification of the airplane."

VP and GM, 787 programme, Scott Fancher said, "The team has created a solid plan for accomplishing the hours and test points required for F&R and ETOPS testing in support of delivery to our customer ANA in the August to September time period."

Japanese carrier ANA, the launch customer for the Dreamliner, is scheduled to conduct Dreamliner service readiness trials in Japan next week.

F&R testing "simulates various normal and non-normal operations for the airplane, in a realistic airline-like flight environment," the manufacturer explained.

"During ETOPS demonstrations the company validates the airplane's ability to safely divert for a variety of reasons, including long diversions with one engine shut down."

The final flight testing includes long-range flying, including the 787's ability to divert to a far-away airport on just one engine.

The testing will be done on a 787 with Rolls Royce engines.