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Dreamliner: Boeing says 787 test flight 'went to plan' | Dreamliner: Boeing says 787 test flight 'went to plan' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Boeing has said that a test flight to check the 787 Dreamliner's new battery system "went according to plan". | Boeing has said that a test flight to check the 787 Dreamliner's new battery system "went according to plan". |
Boeing redesigned its battery after malfunctions on some planes led to the grounding of the entire 787 fleet. | Boeing redesigned its battery after malfunctions on some planes led to the grounding of the entire 787 fleet. |
The firm said it will analyze the data and prepare for another test flight aimed at demonstrating the system to regulators in "coming days". | The firm said it will analyze the data and prepare for another test flight aimed at demonstrating the system to regulators in "coming days". |
According to some estimates, Boeing is losing $50m (£33m) per week due to the grounding of the 787 planes. | According to some estimates, Boeing is losing $50m (£33m) per week due to the grounding of the 787 planes. |
The grounding has also led to Boeing being prevented from delivering new Dreamliners to customers. | The grounding has also led to Boeing being prevented from delivering new Dreamliners to customers. |
Battery redesign | Battery redesign |
The Dreamliner 787 is the first plane in the world to use the lithium-ion batteries, which are lighter, hold more power and recharge more quickly. | The Dreamliner 787 is the first plane in the world to use the lithium-ion batteries, which are lighter, hold more power and recharge more quickly. |
But incidents relating to battery malfunction earlier this year raised some concerns over its safety and led to the grounding of the fleet. | But incidents relating to battery malfunction earlier this year raised some concerns over its safety and led to the grounding of the fleet. |
In January, a fire started in a battery pack in a Japan Airlines 787 in Boston. Meanwhile, an All Nippon Airways flight was forced to make an emergency landing because of a battery malfunction. | In January, a fire started in a battery pack in a Japan Airlines 787 in Boston. Meanwhile, an All Nippon Airways flight was forced to make an emergency landing because of a battery malfunction. |
Boeing has since submitted a plan to the authorities to redesign the battery to ensure its safety. | Boeing has since submitted a plan to the authorities to redesign the battery to ensure its safety. |
Its plan includes improving the battery design to stop faults from occurring as well as enhancing the production, operating and testing processes. | Its plan includes improving the battery design to stop faults from occurring as well as enhancing the production, operating and testing processes. |
At the same time, Boeing said the plan included a new battery enclosure system to prevent any possible overheating from affecting the plane. | At the same time, Boeing said the plan included a new battery enclosure system to prevent any possible overheating from affecting the plane. |
Some analysts said that the redesign was likely to help address the concerns surrounding the battery. | Some analysts said that the redesign was likely to help address the concerns surrounding the battery. |
"I will give the Boeing engineers the benefit of the doubt that they have designed a box that will handle what the battery can give it," said John Goglia, a former board member of the US National Transport Safety Board (NTSB). | "I will give the Boeing engineers the benefit of the doubt that they have designed a box that will handle what the battery can give it," said John Goglia, a former board member of the US National Transport Safety Board (NTSB). |
No quick fix? | |
The battery redesign plan was approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) earlier this month. | The battery redesign plan was approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) earlier this month. |
But the regulator had told Boeing to "conduct extensive testing and analysis". | But the regulator had told Boeing to "conduct extensive testing and analysis". |
Earlier this month, Boeing executives had said that they expect to restart commercial flights of the 787 within "weeks". | |
However, some analysts said that it may be some time before the regulators grant final approval for this. | |
"Take whatever date is agreed upon and add three to six months to it," said Oliver Mcgee, a former US deputy assistant secretary of transportation. | |
"I don't think that you are going to see any type of quick fix or compromising on the FAA side." | |
However, Mark Rosenker, former chairman of the NTSB, added that Boeing was working to ensure that its redesign improved the battery's safety. | |
"They don't want to put an airplane up that they're going to have to deal with again," he said. | |
"They want this thing resolved. They want to do it in an efficient, appropriate, scientific, analytic way. It is not in their best interests to rush a system." |