First flight of the 787 has potentially been delayed until October.

This is likely to raise more doubts whether Boeing will have enough time left to complete the 787 flight test program and get the first 787 to All Nippon Airways next May.

One should note that the R&D issues for the 787 are more challenging than reported. If the first flight for the 787 slips 4-5 months, the 787 may not receive technical certification until early 2009.

Why?

Because the cold soak trials must be successfully completed during the cold weather test campaign. The aircraft must spend a couple of days in conditions of up to minus 30 degrees Celsius to prove full functionality of all systems under extreme weather conditions. Such trials will include powering up the aircraft, the engines and hydraulic systems after a full 12-hour period at such low temperatures.

The window for 787 cold weather test last until the end of February next year at the latest,that is, if they don’t mind doing the cold soak trials in the Antarctic region. Being unable to complete the testing satisfactory would mean the that 787 EIS would no be earlier than Jan/Feb 2009, or only 4 years before the A350 WXB.