Originally Posted by
Fursty Ferret
Exactly. I'm not sure why Boeing went all-electric on the 787. I can see arguments for the cabin air supply, but taking 250kW from the IP turbine, rectifying it, and inverting it once again to drive the CACs surely outweighs the simple benefit of taking bleed air directly from the compressor.
The air quality seems no better (very dry) since Boeing updated the CAC schedules to minimise surging.
Likewise with the electric brakes - they seem bulkier than their hydraulic equivalents and more prone to failure.
Pros? Well, I'm a big fan of the dual engine start.
The 787 is humidified. The cabin air quality is the best out there. Pure air without the additions from the engine and a comfortable humidity level instead of near zero in other airframes.