Sixth and Final 787 Test Aircraft in Final Assembly

The first major parts for Dreamliner Seven are set to begin showing up in Everett when the horizontal stabilizer is flown from Italy.

“The first flight test airplane, ZA001, is getting its paint touched up this week before finishing factory testing. Power was brought onto the second airplane, ZA002, in late February and build verification tests are progressing well. Production work continues on ZA003, ZA004 and ZA005. In all, assemblies for 31 Dreamliners are currently in production throughout the supply chain.”

The 787 Dreamliner is nearly two years behind schedule, like the Airbus A380 superjumbo before it. It puts the delivery of the first commercial Dreamliner early next year. Boeing has orders for 878 of the fuel-efficient planes from 57 customers. According to Boeing, because 50 percent of the aircraft will be made out of composite materials, it should be stronger and lighter, and therefore 20% more fuel efficient.

We’re eager to see the 787. With airlines scaling down service, the large A380 is being removed from service out of New York’s JFK airport by Emirates Airlines, and a smaller, more fuel efficient airliner may help things.

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