777-200LR Flight Test Journal: Archives
09 June 2005
Seeing WD002 out the factory door
Kirk Foster
Industrial engineering methods analyst
Editor's note: As airplane WD001 works through its Flight Test program at Edwards Air Force Base in California, we turn our attention for the moment to the second 777-200LR Worldliner, WD002. We'll be checking in with some of the people who made sure this airplane came together on time.
Putting together something as large and complex as a 777 is always a challenge. It's a testament to the people who work on the program every time one of those airplanes rolls out of the factory doors.
Trying to get a test flight airplane, like WD002, the second 777-200LR Worldliner, out the door elevates the challenge to a whole new level. You're mixing a bunch of changes and new requirements into the normal production system and trying to minimize the disruptions.
A lot of work goes into getting an airplane ready for flight testing.
WD002's story is an example of what can result when the right people and the right plan come together. There was a lot of planning, a lot of teamwork and some innovative ideas that really worked well.
One of my main jobs is to help with the communication between the design and manufacturing sides. We build a lot of schedules to make sure that there is enough time between each step so that the job can get done.
The Flight Test Team did a great job in developing the work packages and solving issues before they impacted production.
It all resulted in the beautiful airplane we're working with today.