It’s pretty clear that engineers and executives at Boeing only want one thing for Christmas, and that’s for the 787 to finally take flight for the first time. We’ve been going back and forth on when this thing will finally test things out, and once again, it seems like there just might be some good news.

The whole wing connecting to the body problem seems to have been resolved, and it sounds like no parts will fall off during a test flight, which is great news. Just to make sure, there will be all kinds of stress tests on the ground to ensure that these wings can withstand the pressures of flight, turbulence, and probably a lot worse. ]]> kjb 2009-11-20T09:20:03-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/8/31/73234/9023

If you’re getting sick of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner saga, just let us know, because we’re almost over it ourselves. We thought things would be grounded until 2010, but now Boeing is claiming that the long delayed plane will fire up its first test flight by the end of this year. This is great news for airplane dorks like us, and for All Nippon Airways, as they’ve got first dibs on the new bird.

Industry analysts were thinking that Boeing wouldn’t be able to deliver the goods until 2011 at the earliest, but after test flights later this year (if they happen), the first deliveries should be happening late in 2010. Even with all the delays and trouble getting things off the ground, the plane is still expected to be a solid moneymaker for the company. ]]> kjb 2009-08-31T10:24:44-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/7/27/73837/6103

At this point in the 787 saga, we feel badly for Boeing and all the issues they’ve had with their next generation airplane. The 787 Dreamliner has been taunted with unkind nicknames, but let’s be honest, the constant delays are just adding fuel to the fire. During the company’s recent earnings conference call, CEO Jim McNerney was peppered with questions about his new pride and joy. However, like any good executive, he didn’t reveal anything too damning.

The company is still assessing how long it will take to repair the recently discovered flaws and issues with the new bird, which means it’s going to be pretty difficult to provide a first flight timeline, since they’re busy arguing over how long it will take to fix everything. The company did say that they hope to release an updated test and deliver schedule within “several weeks.”

Meanwhile, The Seattle Times cited a couple of Boeing engineers who stated that some of these issues will likely take four to six months to work out, and that the first flight could be pushed into 2010. To make matters worse, the CEO over at Qatar Air is talking junk and letting everyone know that Boeing has “lost its leadership.” He has a right to be a little pissed—his company has 60 of these new planes on order and he’s got nothing to show for it.

Related Stories:
· Boeing Doesn't Know Yet How Long 787 Fix Will Take [Seattle Times]
· Qatar Air CEO Says 'Boeing Has Lost Its Leadership' [USA Today]
· Boeing coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Wikimedia] ]]> kjb 2009-07-27T08:34:24-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/6/24/72432/2425

Remember just the other day when we were all excited about the Boeing 787 finally taking off? Well, due to some unforeseen issues, it looks like the Dreamliner is now no go for launch. Besides us, we’re pretty sure there are some less than pleased stockholders and airline executives.

Apparently, the new plane needs some reinforcement where the wing and fuselage meet before things can move forward. Of course we’re all for safety first, but this is still a little disappointing. Engineers insist that the composite material used in the new bird is still the right choice, regardless of the delays that they've experienced.

For now, Boeing said it would be several weeks before they reveal even a new timetable for the 787’s first flight. We’re pulling for this thing to get up in the air sooner rather than later, but we can’t help but chuckle at some of the plane’s new nicknames; Nightmareliner, Hangar Queen, and 7-Late-7 are some of our favorites.

Related Stories:
· Initial Flight of Boeing 787 Delayed Again [Seattle Times]
· Boeing 787 Dreamliner Dubbed 7-late-7, Nightmareliner, & More [Seattle Post-Intelligencer]
· Airline News coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Wikimedia] ]]> kjb 2009-06-24T08:47:16-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/9/72751/37414

We’ve been following the saga of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, and if everything went according to schedule it’d be above our heads—at least testing—by now. That’s not the case, and some companies are getting a little fed up with the waiting game. We’d like our planes are safe, so we’re willing to wait a bit longer 'til they get this sorted out.

However, Delta does care about the schedule, and that’s why they’re looking to cancel its order of 18 of these planes that were initially part of an order placed by Northwest Airlines. ]]> kjb 2009-03-09T08:56:18-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/11/5/74759/4936

We're about to stop handicapping the odds that Boeing will ever get these 787s built: A spokeswoman told aviation blog FleetBuzz that thanks to a crippling machinists strike, the Dreamliner won't be making its first flight before the end of 2008 as previously planned. That means it's almost certain that deliveries to carriers like ANA and Japan Airlines won't happen until 2010.

Here's what Boeing had to say:

First flight of the 787 Dreamliner will not be accomplished in the fourth quarter of 2008. The timeframe for first flight has not been established and will be based on the strike recovery assessment. The program is working to determine a new program schedule that will be announced when it is finalized.

Adding to the trouble are newly discovered quality control issues with fasteners, the variety of dodads that hold the plane together. Needless to say, you can't make test flights when you're worried that the plane isn't bolted together right!

Related Stories:
· Boeing 787 First Flight Delayed [FleetBuzz]
· Boeing 787 Schedule Pushed Back Again [USA Today]
· Could the Dreamliner Be Flying by 2009? [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-11-05T08:00:07-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/28/143923/84

A tentative deal has been made between Boeing and its machinists union, which could end the nearly two-month-long strike that's halted production at its Everett, Washington factory. It's likely that the union will vote to approve the deal, which promises a 15 percent raise over four years and protects union jobs.

Once a deal is done, workers can get back to rolling out airplanes, in particular the 777, which new airline V Australia is anxiously awaiting after pushing back its launch date because of the strike. Meanwhile, ANA, the launch customer for the much-anticipated 787, was planning for deliveries this winter, but after countless delays already, that seems about as likely as Ted Stevens turning down a Bridge to Nowhere.

Boeing currently says the fuel efficient Dreamliner will debut by the end of 2009, but at least one supplier says 2010 is more likely. And that's just the first plane: More than 900 have been ordered, and the company will only be able to make a few 787s a month until at least 2012.

Related Stories:
· Tentative Deal Reached in Boeing Strike [Seattle P-I]
· Goodrich Says Boeing's 787 May Be Delayed [Bloomberg]
· Boeing Says More Delays Probable [Reuters]
· Boeing coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Wikipedia]]]> pbb 2008-10-28T14:45:03-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/