A tiny hula dancer figurine has become an unexpected companion aboard GE Aerospace’s Boeing 747 Flying Test Bed during its demanding “ice and fire” flight-test campaigns in Alaska and Hawaii.
Dressed in a small parka, the figurine sits inside the cockpit of the flying laboratory as engineers and flight crews conduct tests in some of the most challenging environments. From freezing Alaskan conditions to Hawaii’s heat, the aircraft is used to push aviation technology to its limits.
While the test missions involve serious engineering work and carefully controlled conditions, the little figure offers a lighthearted reminder of the people behind the technology. For the crew, it represents teamwork, camaraderie and the small moments that bring a smile during long and demanding flight-test operations.
