Boeing's 787 Could Fly As Early As Tuesday

Boeing Co. says the long-anticipated first flight of its new 787 jetliner could come as early as Dec. 15.

Boeing announced Thursday that its window for a first flight would open on that date. The actual flight timing depends on final internal reviews, taxi testing and Federal Aviation Administration documentation.

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The company also said it has completed "final gauntlet" testing on the 787 and verified the success of fixes it made to a structural problem.

The vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Scott Fancher, said two days of gauntlet testing checked out all the airplane systems, such as avionics, hydraulics and electrical, to ensure they are ready for flight.

Boeing earlier reinforced weak points near the area where the wings attach to the fuselage, then conducted a so-called static test -- essentially bending the wings -- to test the repairs.

Fancher said Thursday that Boeing has completed its analysis of that static test and called it successful.

Aviation consultant Scott Hamilton said the 787's first flight signals a new era for Boeing.

"The company's been real clear that the replacement airplanes for the 737 and the triple seven are going to follow the pattern of the 787, both in the design and in production. So this is setting the tone for the company for decades to come," Hamilton told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

The plane will take off from Everett's Paine Field, next to the factory.

It will probably land at about 4 p.m. at Boeing Field in Seattle.

KIRO 7 and KIROTV.com will have live coverage of the event.