Boeing 787 News
January 8th, 2008
Since the last media briefing on the 787 Dreamliner, the Boeing team has been working through the numerous issues the first airplane faces in readiness for first flight and the path to certification.
On the back of Boeing’s record orders for 2007 led by stellar sales in the 737 family, the 787 is now sold out until well into 2016.
With over 800 orders for the Dreamliner and an ambitious target of producing 109 airplanes in just over 23 months from now, many analysts are already speculating whether consideration for a second assembly line will be on the cards during 2008.
Image courtesy of Boeing
The first 787 Dreamliner, pictured above, now occupies the last assembly position - a sign that work on the airplane is reaching what we’d term as completion in preparation for power to be turned on. Nearly all of the major structures and systems on the airplane have now been installed.
The static test airplane too has faired well. Steady progress on airplane number two will see the jet stand on its own landing gear within the next few working days. In addition, fuselage testing has not shown any anomalies or incongruity and has performed as expected.
One other major milestone concerns the launch customer, All Nippon Airways (ANA).
Image courtesy of Boeing
A senior ANA pilot who commands flights aboard the burgeoning Boeing 777 fleet at the airline undertook a 787 simulator “test flight” to demonstrate the inter-flightdeck commonality and compatibility.
As Boeing stated back in mid-2005, pilots flying the 777 family will require about five days training to then fly the Dreamliner.
So far, things are looking good for the 787 in preparation for its inaugural flight. The stepping stone to that in achieving power on remains elusive.
Given the immense complexities of this extremely advanced airplane, it’s only a matter of time before that goal is reached.
Sphere: Related ContentEntry Filed under: 787 First Flight, 787 Orders, 787 Premiere, 787 Rollout, Aeroplane, Aerospace, Air Transport, Air Travel, Airlines, Airplane, Airplane Order, Airplanes, Airport, Airports, Boeing, Boeing 787, Boeing 787 Order, Boeing 787 Orders, Boeing 787 Premiere, Boeing 787 Rollout, Boeing Orders, Dreamliner, Dreamliner First Flight, Jet Travel, Randy Tinseth, Travel
6 Comments Add your own
1. B787Fan | January 9th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Good to hear that things are moving although “elusive” power on is a worry and points to a further delays, doesn’t it?
Also, interesting that this site is the only one I have read that refers to NH actually “flying” the simulator.
2. Chris Wallace | January 9th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
A second assembly line is likely an eventual requirement - especially if a 787HGW family is launched.
But Boeing and their suppliers are going to need time to come to grips with the current production rate, much less a 50-100% increase on top of that.
Boeing is also going to need to find some space at PAE. They might be able to use 40-23 or, if Boeing loses the KC-45 RFP and closes the 767 line, 40-24 would become available around 2010.
3. keesje | January 10th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Rumors fly over more 787 delays.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/boeingaerospace/2004116744_boeing10.html
The article says the cockpit was not installed before X-mas making power on projection this month a dream. This would be totally contradictive to this editorial.
Reading the article I really wonder if the Boeing official statements on progress have to be taken seriously.
The investors are obviously not doing so anymore. Flight Global has obviously better info and doesn´t hesitate publishing it even if Boeing denies. And proved accurate.
In reality 787 progress seems no good news show at this moment. Good luck to the folks solving problems / taking hard decisions.
4. Boeing 787 First Flight T&hellip | January 11th, 2008 at 11:02 am
[...] the interim and as exclusively revealed right here, All Nippon Airways is thus far happy with the progress being made on this revolutionary [...]
5. keesje | January 16th, 2008 at 10:44 am
“So far, things are looking good for the 787 in preparation for its inaugural flight. The stepping stone to that in achieving power on remains elusive.
Given the immense complexities of this extremely advanced airplane, it’s only a matter of time before that goal is reached.”
This was last week. I think it is time for rethinking sources & reporting. Being to close with Boeing PR and only using news confirmed by them can hurt credibility.
6. Boeing 787 Encounters Sec&hellip | January 16th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
[...] 16, 2008 Further to the exclusive news revealed early last week that the Boeing 787 Dreamliner power on remained elusive, an article published by the Wall Street [...]
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