Though Boeing is gearing up for two demanding commercial-jet, flight-test programs next year, it plans to lay off 200 to 300 people out of more than 4,000 working flight test in the Puget Sound region.

Boeing also is undergoing a major restructuring that will combine its separate military and commercial flight-test organizations by year-end.

And when the flight-test programs for the new version of the 747-8 jumbo jet and the all-new 787 Dreamliner begin early next year, only one will be conducted here.

The Dreamliner testing will be based at Boeing Field in Seattle.

The 747-8 will undergo initial airworthiness tests at Moses Lake in Eastern Washington for about two months then go to Palmdale, Calif., for the remainder of the flight tests on the runway shared by Edwards Air Force Base.

Boeing spokeswoman Jennifer Hawton said the layoffs, all within the commercial-airplane unit, are part of the overall reduction of 4,500 announced early this year.

She said the jobs eliminated will be "overhead, support and administrative functions" and will not include pilots or engineers working directly on airplanes.