NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA 809 is one of two high-altitude ER-2 aircraft flown by NASA on Earth science missions. (NASA file / Lori Losey)

NASA's ER-2 Earth Resources aircraft No. 809 took to the air June 28 on a functional check flight after completion of a year of modified periodic depot-level maintenance.

The aircraft was literally broken down into pieces that were spread around its hangar at NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif. The work involved a thorough 600-flight-hour phase inspection that included replacing the old wiring that is known to deteriorate over time with new Teflon-coated wiring and completing several other time-compliance technical upgrades.

Following a second checkout flight scheduled for the week of July 2, the aircraft will be ready to resume missions for NASA's Airborne Science Program.

Learn more about NASA's ER-2s
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-046-DFRC.html