Dreamliner achieves initial airworthiness milestone - Post date: 19/01/2010 Boeing has completed initial airworthiness testing on the 787 Dreamliner. The new milestone will enable more crewmembers to take part in flights and will allow more airplanes to join the flight test programme. EVERETT, WA – Boeing has completed initial airworthiness testing on the 787 Dreamliner. The new milestone will enable more crewmembers to take part in flights and will allow more airplanes to join the flight test programme. Since the first flight in mid-December, the programme has conducted 15 flights, achieving several key accomplishments. Pilots have taken the airplane to an altitude of 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) and a speed of Mach 0.65. Nearly 60 hours of flying have been completed. Initial stall tests and other dynamic maneuvers have been run, as well as an extensive check-out of the airplane's systems. Six different pilots have been behind the controls of the 787. In the weeks ahead, the team will continue to expand the flight envelope at which the 787 will operate to reach an altitude of more than 40,000 feet (12,192 meters) and a speed of Mach 0.85. Subsequent testing will push the airplane beyond expected operational conditions. Boeing said flight-testing will continue in the months ahead.  First delivery is planned for the fourth quarter of this year. Source: http://www.travelweeklyweb.com/article/Dreamliner_achieves_initial_airworthiness_milestone.html