May 2010 covers_Covers.qxd - World Airnews

DREAMLINER ULTIMATE-LOAD WING TEST
COMPLETED
THE ULTIMATE-load wing up-bending
test on the 787 Dreamliner
static test unit was completed by
Boeing recently, marking yet another
critical milestone in the aircraft’s test
programme towards FAA certification.
During the testing, loads were applied
to the airframe to replicate 150 percent of
the most extreme forces the airliner is
ever expected to experience while in
service. The wings were flexed upward by
approximately 7,6 metres (25 feet) during
the test.
The initial results of the ultimate-load
test are positive. More extensive analysis
and review are required before the test
can be deemed a success.
“The test programme has been more
68 WORLD AIRNEWS, MAY 2010.
robust than any conducted on a Boeing
commercial jetliner,” said Scott Fancher,
vice president and general manager of the
787 programme, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
“It has taken countless hours of
hard work by the Boeing team and our
partners to work through the static test
programme. Everyone who has been involved
in this effort over the past several
years should be very proud of their contributions
to ensuring the safety of the
787 Dreamliner.
“We are looking forward to the technical
team’s report on the details of the test
results,” said Fancher.
It will take them several weeks to work
through all of the data.
During each second of the more than
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two-hour test, thousands of data points
were collected to monitor the performance
of the wing. Key data points are
monitored real-time during the test, but
all of the data will be evaluated in the
weeks ahead. Q
PUPIL PILOTS’ COURSE
64/46 REUNION
THE PILOTS who were students on the
South African Air Force Pupil Pilots
Course of 1964 have been invited to attend
a reunion which will be the form of
a solo evening dinner function at the
Cape Town Club on September 23.
This date will coincide with the Africa
Aerospace and Defence exhibition being
held at AFB Ysterplaat over the following
few days and provides participants with
the opportunity to attend the exhibition
and view the flying displays and stands.
The thinking behind the reunion name,
64/46, is that the course was held in 1964,
which took place 46 years ago; 64 is now
the average age of the then pupil pilots,
and most of the pilots who took part in
the course are aged 64 today.
It has proven difficult to contact many of
the “old boys” as they have dispersed all
over the world and to various occupations.
Those members of this course who
would like to attend the reunion are
requested to contact Brig. Gen, (Rtd)
Derek Kirkland on cell 0027 (0) 82 894
4215, email: derek.kirkland@comair.co.za
or Scully Levin at flyboys@global.co.za to
ensure participation. Q