The 787 Still Has Production Issues
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The 787 Still Has Production Issues
Boeing is still struggling with fastner issues. This story gives an update . . . .
First 787s will fly without all proper fasteners
First 787s will fly without all proper fasteners
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The implication is that it would be flying now if only it had good fasteners.
However Boeing has never said that it's ready to fly as soon as the fasteners are fixed.
Boeing is happy to spread this story while they fix the other issues. The ones they don't talk about.
However Boeing has never said that it's ready to fly as soon as the fasteners are fixed.
Boeing is happy to spread this story while they fix the other issues. The ones they don't talk about.
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I just got back from visiting both Renton and Everett.
Having seen 787 #1 up close, its in very good shape and progressing well towards first flight.
Tomorrow's Boeing earnings call will be a big barometer as to whether they still achieve first flight by the end of Q2 as they have targeted - however, with what I have seen, I am confident they can achieve this revised goal.
Having seen 787 #1 up close, its in very good shape and progressing well towards first flight.
Tomorrow's Boeing earnings call will be a big barometer as to whether they still achieve first flight by the end of Q2 as they have targeted - however, with what I have seen, I am confident they can achieve this revised goal.
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Boeing777x
Are you confident they can still achieve delivery in the first quarter of 2010? If they manage to fly it at the end of the second quarter 09, that gives them a nine months program. Who's kidding?
Last edited by Dysag; 28th Jan 2009 at 07:22.
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I spoke extensively with Mark Jenks, VP of 787 Development during my visit - he was very confident that the short time frame for certification could be be achieved given that around 2/3's of certification has already been done without actually flying.
Personally, I would not be surprised to see delivery slip for one reason or another, but unlike previous setbacks on the 787, the entire ethos and grind towards first flight is different.
Even Airplane #2 is looking great, engines and major systems installed and a high level of work going on in the 787 line - the key thing is how quickly they get al 6 test airplanes flying. That will be the ultimate benchmark as to whether their achieve that Q1 2010 goal.
Personally, I would not be surprised to see delivery slip for one reason or another, but unlike previous setbacks on the 787, the entire ethos and grind towards first flight is different.
Even Airplane #2 is looking great, engines and major systems installed and a high level of work going on in the 787 line - the key thing is how quickly they get al 6 test airplanes flying. That will be the ultimate benchmark as to whether their achieve that Q1 2010 goal.
Teething and political problems ---very usual for such a revolutionary and ground breaking design---same stuff more or less with 747 classics, MD-11, A380 and I'm sure with the A350
the 777 progran was almost flawless though---I guess they don't make engineers like they used to
PA
the 777 progran was almost flawless though---I guess they don't make engineers like they used to
PA
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Quote: .....and Boeing can't afford to further push back the flight test program. All temporary and improperly installed fasteners will be replaced, however, before the six planes are eventually refurbished and turned over to customers to carry passengers.
Maybe I'm old & cynical but that sounds remarkably reminiscent of the cargo door fixes Douglas promised they'd made to those DC-10-10s prior to their delivery to Laker and THY.......
At least these days we get to hear about it first.
Maybe I'm old & cynical but that sounds remarkably reminiscent of the cargo door fixes Douglas promised they'd made to those DC-10-10s prior to their delivery to Laker and THY.......
At least these days we get to hear about it first.
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I spoke extensively with Mark Jenks, VP of 787 Development during my visit - he was very confident that the short time frame for certification could be be achieved given that around 2/3's of certification has already been done without actually flying.
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the 777 progran was almost flawless though---I guess they don't make engineers like they used to 
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Slight "aside" from this thread, I've added a few new images taken last week from my Everett visit:
Clicky
Engine installation on ZA002, the second flight test 787 currently undergoing final assembly.
Clicky
Engine installation on ZA002, the second flight test 787 currently undergoing final assembly.
