Boeing sets up 787 Dreamliner for fatigue testing

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner fatigue test airframe and structural test rig.
Boeing's 787 Dreamliner fatigue test airframe and structural test rig.

The tests are expected to start mid-year.

“Unlike static tests, where loads are applied to the airplane structure to simulate both normal operation and extreme flight conditions, fatigue testing is a much longer process that simulates up to three times the number of flight cycles an airplane is likely to experience during a lifetime of service,” explains Scott Fancher, 787 vice president and general manager, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “This testing is instrumental in confirming the longevity of the airplane.”