First 787 built in South Carolina takes to the skies

Boeing announced that the first 787 built in its South Carolina facility for launch customer Air India (AI) completed a five-hr. test flight Tuesday May 22, 2012.

The production flight tested the controls and systems in all stages of flight as the crew checked the functionality of onboard systems at high and medium altitudes. They also checked backup and critical safety elements including cabin pressurization, avionics, and navigation and communications systems.
 In addition, they shut down and re-started each engine during flight, according to Boeing.

"The airplane performed exactly as we expected," pilot Tim Berg said.

Boeing said the aircraft will fly to Ft. Worth, Texas to be painted with AI’s livery before returning to South Carolina for a mid-2012 delivery.

(Linda Blachly - ATWOnline News)