B787, World's First Mainly Composite Commercial Aircraft

The first Boeing 787 Dreamliner is scheduled to enter airline service in May, 2008. The B787 series is the world's first mainly composite construction super efficient commercial airliner. The aircraft will provide passengers with a better flying experience featuring significant improvements in passenger amenities.

The internal air will be cleaner, there will be larger windows, a lower cabin altitude and higher humidity. The largely composite aircraft will be lighter, use less fuel per passenger than similar size aircraft, produce fewer carbon emissions and will be quieter on takeoff and landings. One could consider the Boeing 787 Dreamliner series to be the most advanced commercial passenger airliners available soon.

I was an early passenger on the Boeing 747 shortly after its introduction into airline service by Pan Am, as I recall, flying in April 1970, Los Angeles to Honolulu and return. The 747 was instantly recognized worldwide for its extreme size, (the British promoted it as "Jumbo") but it was and remains of conventional aluminum monocoque construction. The Boeing 787 promises to revolutionize airline economy of operation and passenger satisfaction. We shall see.

Boeing just announced today the delivery of the first 787 Dreamliner will be delayed six months. So, no airline introduction in May 2008.

Boeing has announced the B787 Dreamliner is back on original schedule with first flight expected in early 2008 after first engine runup now expected in January, 2008. Airline deliveries are now expected by end of 2008. Another plus is that the FAA and Boeing have agreed on the flight test plan in advance of the B787 first flight, and this is a first for Boeing.

After a lot of delays-the current word is that the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner delivery to Japan's All Nippon Airways will be in the third quarter of 2009, more than a year behind schedule. Outsourcing, and manufacturing problems, has led to many delays.

A global shortage of two specialized rivets, the Aero-Lite lockbolt and the Hucktite lockbolt has slowed assembly. There are 1.6 million total fasteners in one B787.

Furthermore, consider that the very forward fuselage section is made in America, with its passenger door made in France; the next forward fuselage section is made in Japan, center fuselage section made in Italy with cargo door made in Sweden, with aft fuselage section made in America. The center wing box is made in Japan, with wing and body fairing made in Canada.

The engine pylons are made in America, as are the engine nacelles. Engines made in Britain (Rolls Royce) and in America (General Electric). Landing gear made in France. Landing gear wheel wells made in Japan. Wings made in Japan, while ailerons (movable trailing edge) made in Australia. The wing tip is made in South Korea, while the fixed trailing wing edge is made in Japan. Horizontal stabilizer made in Italy. Tail fin made in America.

The wing box that connects the wings to the fuselage posed a major problem showing a weakness, leading to time-consuming design mods that add weight and cut fuel efficiency.

Good news is that Boeing has taken orders for 892 Dreamliners, worth more than $145 BILLION, from some 50 airlines. The B787 Dreamliner is the World's first commercial jet largely built of superlight carbon-fiber composites. A global network of partners and suppliers is constructing it. Slowly, and behind schedule. Look for first test flights now slipped to begin in the Fourth Quarter of 2008.