On Thu, 11 Oct 2007 09:36:02 GMT, Larry Dighera wrote:

On Wed, 10 Oct 2007 23:00:18 -0700, Ron Wanttaja
wrote in
:

With the first airplane so close to completion, why would Boeing delay its
completion over this?

If design changes need to be implemented to meet FAA certification
standards, it would be foolish to test an aircraft that doesn't
employee them, IMO.

Prototypes rarely match the production models; that's one reason why companies
like Boeing retain them for company "hacks." The allegations have nothing to do
with how the airplane's going to fly; any changes will be internal. Yet the
test period does typically reveal the need for mechanical/aerodynamic changes.
*If* there are delays triggered by the allegations, flight testing the prototype
would allow *other* changes to be incorporated in parallel.

I suppose the final rule will reveal just how
much the former Boeing engineer's revelations changed the standards
the design will be held to.

I suspect you mean, "Final ruling," rather than "final rule." AFAIK, there's no
change in FAA policy pending over the allegations. The controversy is over a
difference in engineering opinion, rather than a revelation of hidden flaws.

Ron Wanttaja