June 2008. During the past few months the Advanced Development Group has achieved several significant milestones related to the goal of First Flight of the-jet. While these pictures do not adequately capture the total determination, focus and energy that is happening on this project right now, they do give you a sense of just how far we have come lately and how close we are to realizing First Flight.
Construction of the test aircraft you see here, called "V1", is complete. Earlier this week, the ADG build team and engineers ceremoniously handed the keys over to the ADG flight test crew. The flight test team will now complete a very methodical process to ensure V1 is ready to fly safely and within very specific flight parameters set for the initial flight. Even at this critical stage the team is approaching its work and the impending flight schedule with the same careful diligence and thoughtful planning as they have from the onset of the program.
