More Good News for the 787 Brings More New Orders for Boeing
Every week that the Boeing 787 sticks to its schedule, we get a little more confident that the thing will actually be delivered and flown full of paying passengers prior to the end of 2011. This week brings some more good news, as Uncle Sam and his buddies in government are cool with one key aspect of the soon-to-be newest bird in the sky.
The Dreamliner received extended twin-engine operations approval this week from the FAA for its Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. This ETOPS approvals—as it’s known to those in the know—was something we were concerned about a few months ago, because without this kind of approval some new routes over the ocean wouldn’t be possible. This certification allows the plane to fly long distances between airports—like over oceans and the North Pole. Something like this is pretty crucial if Continental ever gets their planes and starts flying to New Zealand.
This isn’t only the only engine flavor being developed for the new plane, as General Electric also working on its GEnx engines. These haven’t gotten the same approval just yet, but that’s okay, as the Rolls-Royce engines are being slapped under the wings on the first planes scheduled for All Nippon Airways.
With all the on-target news it seems that some other carriers are sick of sitting on the sidelines, as they’re starting to jump in to get their orders for the new plane. This is a pretty good move, as these suckers are certainly back-ordered. LAN and China Southern are just two of the latest airlines to either place new orders or add to existing ones, but we’re sure they’re bummed they can’t get same-day free super saver shipping.
[Photo: Dave Sizer]
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