The Ugly Duckling!!!
Sexy lines make Boeing's new Dreamliner a fuel nightmare
From The Times
July 09, 2004
BOEING is being forced to reconsider the design of its new jet after admitting the distinctive shape would waste fuel.
The aircraft manufacturer originally claimed that the 7E7 Dreamliner, due to make its maiden flight in 2007, would be the most eye-catching aircraft in the skies.
But First Choice, the British holiday company which on Wednesday announced it was ordering six Dreamliners, said it would be pressing Boeing to redesign the plane.
Chris Browne, managing director of First Choice, said passengers did not care what the plane looked like as long as fares were cheap and the interior was comfortable.
She said: "Aerodynamics are far more important than the appearance. While it might be nice to look different, the key issue is to reduce fuel consumption."
As a launch customer, First Choice has the right to negotiate with Boeing over the design of the Dreamliner. The present design has an elongated nose and a tail fin that curves out of the fuselage rather than jutting upwards.
The design looks sleeker than existing snub-nosed aircraft but tests by Boeing's engineers have shown that it causes more drag and therefore increases fuel consumption.
Boeing has already been criticised by environmental groups for sacrificing efficiency for the sake of appearance.
Boeing director of environ ment Jeff Hawk said: "There is a trade-off in the design in which we lose a little in terms of overall efficiency. We wanted people to recognise the plane so they could identify with the brand."
But Boeing head of marketing Randy Baseler said that the manufacturer would be prepared to reconsider the design if airlines raised concerns about wasting fuel.
"Airlines are saying to us: 'We want to bring back the magic of flight.' They want something recognisable but we realise they don't want to pay a big fuel penalty for it. The tail is being studied very carefully and it could have some changes."
Mr Baseler said aspects of the Dreamliner's design, including extensive use of composite materials, would make it 20 per cent more efficient than existing airliners.
The Dreamliner will have between 200 and 300 seats
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