Launch Customer

[EdnaClouds]

Just wondering how manufacturers select their launch customer for an aircraft type?

[The SSK]

First come, first served?

[EdnaClouds]

Thanks SSK, was wondering if it was that straightforward! :ok:

[Piltdown Man]

Aircraft manufacturers regularly discuss future aircraft designs with airlines. Like Swissair did with Fokker for the F100, Boeing did with ANA for the 787 and Airbus are doing with Qatar with the A350. In return the airline gets a cheaper airframe, a fair bit of advertising and the kudos of being involved with aircraft design and specification. In return, the manufacturer gets an airline guinea pig. But they have to be careful who they work with. An inept, third rate, poorly trained and technically deficient airline won't help them achieve much in terms of product development. And there is a problem of being a guinea pig. The aircraft won't be finished. There will be upgrades, fixes, enhancements will be coming in thick and fast as soon as the aircraft enters service. In purely software terms, my aircraft is up to V27.4 and that's after six years. Not surprisingly, not every airline wishes to be a launch customer.

[Sir George Cayley]

Especially if it's a 787 you've ordered!