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We May Just See The '7-Late-7' Fly For Christmas
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.
Tags: Boeing 787 Dreamliner / 787 / Boeing / Airline News / Airplane News / → All Tags
'7-Late-7' May Actually Fly In 2009 After All
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.
Tags: Boeing 787 Dreamliner / 787 / Boeing / Airline News / Airplane News / → All Tags
Boeing's 787 On The Backburner Possibly 'Til 2010
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: [Photo: Wikimedia]
· 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]
Tags: Boeing 787 Dreamliner / 787 / Boeing / Airline News / Airplane News / → All Tags
Boeing 787 Test Flight Delayed; Now Nicknamed The '7-Late-7'
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: [Photo: Wikimedia]
· 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]
Tags: Boeing 787 Dreamliner / Boeing / Airline News / Airplane News / → All Tags
Boeing 787 Sharpening Number 2 Pencils For Its Final Tests
Update 06/23: Boeing has postponed the test flight of the Dreamliner on account of the need to reinforce an area. Uh oh.
June 28 is going to be a huge day for Boeing and its network of suppliers, not to mention for air travelers hoping for more pleasant flights. After loads of testing this week, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner will hopefully take to the skies for its first test flight. Even if everything goes well, it will still be a while before we ride in the back with our iPhones set to airplane mode—but this is still pretty exciting.
Before the flight test, the plane will go through a final phase of ground testing known as the final gauntlet. For 48 hours, the plane will be pushed to its limits to further address issues that were found during factory testing and the intermediate gauntlet. This should start sometime today, and will be followed by a couple days of analysis. Sounds like the break room coffee pot will be working overtime as the engineers try to figure everything out.
If the plane does well on the ground, it will soon be taxiing under its own power as it takes its Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines for a spin. Tempting as it might be to just rip it down the runway, Boeing still has to be extra careful before putting the pedal to the medal. If everything goes according to plan, then a five-and-a-half hour test flight will take place on Sunday.
We’ll go ahead and assume that a successful test flight will be followed by a celebratory kegger on the assembly line.
Related Stories: [Photo: Wikimedia]
· Boeing Has Another Full Week Of 787 Tests [Aviation Week]
· Delta Dumps Dreamliner Because It's Sick Of Waiting [Jaunted]
· Airline News coverage [Jaunted]
