Boeing's 787 Takes a Vacation to Florida but not for the Warm Weather
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has gone on a vacation to Florida, but unfortunately it won’t be spending anytime in the sun. The plane is actually stuck at Eglin Air Force Base to test its ability to handle some pretty chilly temperatures. The hangar at the base is able to create temperatures of roughly fifty degrees below zero, and that’s exactly what engineers at Boeing were looking for. We’re glad we’re not involved with this part of the testing program, but we wish the plane well as it tries to pass its tests in this sub-zero environment.
It’s awesome that things are progressing so well with the plane after years of delays and issues, but things might actually be going a little too quickly now. Boeing has actually stopped the delivery of new fuselage and wing pieces to the assembly line in Washington for about five weeks. Apparently due to other supplier delays there are just too many parts and not enough places to install them. There won’t be any delivery delays from this latest slow-down, but there is a lot of blame being passed around the different suppliers.
While some airlines can’t wait to get their new birds, there is one airline that already wants to know about the return policy. Delta acquired several orders for the 787 when it merged with Northwest Airlines, but now they aren’t sure they want them anymore. Delta recently confirmed that they’re still a customer for the new plane, but hinted that they’re talking with Boeing about different options. It seems that they want to stick with what they have for now, so if you want your very own Dreamliner there might be a spot available on the waiting list!
Related Stories:
· Delta Tries To Convert 787 Order [Aviation Week]
· Boeing 787 Dreamliner Undergoes Cold-Soak Test [Seattle Weekly]
· Boeing Suspends Delivery of New 787 Sections to Everett [Seattle Times]
· 787 coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Aaron Easton]
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