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Boeing 787 nearing first flight Boeing 787 nearing first flight
(4 days later)
Boeing has announced that its long-delayed 787 Dreamliner aircraft has passed final structural tests and is almost ready for its first flight.Boeing has announced that its long-delayed 787 Dreamliner aircraft has passed final structural tests and is almost ready for its first flight.
The company said in June that a side body section of the plane's structure needed reinforcing. It is now satisfied that the modifications are a success.The company said in June that a side body section of the plane's structure needed reinforcing. It is now satisfied that the modifications are a success.
There has been a series of delays in the 787's development, which is running almost two years behind schedule.There has been a series of delays in the 787's development, which is running almost two years behind schedule.
Boeing has said it hopes to deliver the first plane by the end of 2010.Boeing has said it hopes to deliver the first plane by the end of 2010.
Fuel efficientFuel efficient
"I am happy to report that the programme has validated the airplane structure for the 787 Dreamliner," said Scott Fletcher at Boeing. "I am happy to report that the programme has validated the airplane structure for the 787 Dreamliner," said Scott Fancher at Boeing.
"We are very pleased with the results of this final functional testing. With the successful completion of static testing and this functional testing, our focus now moves to the first flight.""We are very pleased with the results of this final functional testing. With the successful completion of static testing and this functional testing, our focus now moves to the first flight."
The 787 Dreamliner is a hugely important plane for US-based Boeing in its long-standing rivalry with Europe's Airbus.The 787 Dreamliner is a hugely important plane for US-based Boeing in its long-standing rivalry with Europe's Airbus.
It was first unveiled in July 2007 and is the firm's first all-new jet since 1995.It was first unveiled in July 2007 and is the firm's first all-new jet since 1995.
It is designed to make use of carbon fibre to make it much lighter and more fuel-efficient than traditional aluminium planes.It is designed to make use of carbon fibre to make it much lighter and more fuel-efficient than traditional aluminium planes.
Earlier, Airbus's A400M military transport plane finally took to the skies in Spain for its first test flight.Earlier, Airbus's A400M military transport plane finally took to the skies in Spain for its first test flight.
The programme was launched by parent company EADS six years ago, but has also been dogged by a series of delays and soaring costs.The programme was launched by parent company EADS six years ago, but has also been dogged by a series of delays and soaring costs.
The first plane was due to go into service this year, but is running at least three years behind schedule. The first plane was due to go into service this year, but is running more than a year behind schedule.