EveryJoe » 787-Dreamliner

Boeing Dreamliner Overseer to Retire

Mark Ellis — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:46:34 +0000

The Boeing Company has released a statement revealing that Scott E. Carson, 63, has decided to retire from his post as the executive in charge of overseeing Boeing’s commercial plane division. As he held his position since 2006, Carson has been closely associated with the delayed and problematic development of Boeing’s much-hyped 787 Dreamliner.

Carson’s successor, who was previously top executive of Boeing’s military programs, is James F. Albaugh and he will replace Carson on Tuesday, even though Carson’s retirement will not be official until the end of the year. This means that Albaugh will now shoulder the burden of releasing the seemingly-cursed Dreamliner.

Boeing recently released a new schedule for the Dreamliner, stating that it expects the jet to have its first test flight before the end of the year and that airlines will have access to the jet by the fourth quarter of 2010. According to Carson, who has revealed that his retirement stems from his wishes alone, the new Dreamliner schedule will leave Albaugh with a much easier task ahead of him.

Image: Flickr

Post from: EveryJoe

Boeing Dreamliner Overseer to Retire

Boeing Faces Dreamliner Setback

Stephen Kersey — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:52:30 +0000

Despite the hype surrounding Boeing’s development of its 787 Dreamliner, a lighter and more fuel-efficient plane than other airliners, the company has had plenty of trouble getting the jet into the hands of the airlines. Boeing confirmed Friday that it was forced to halt production of certain fuselage sections for the jet in June after discovering wrinkles on the carbon composite skin.

The parts have been manufactured by an Italian company called Alenia Aeronautica, one that has had significant amounts of experience in producing composite materials. For this reason, industry experts have raised questions whether or not the problem was caused by sheer accident or by general sloppiness on the part of Alenia Aeronautics.

The announcement of this most recent problem, though, came the same day that Boeing announced an indefinite delay of the 787’s first flight due to another structural flaw. According to a Boeing spokesperson, the wrinkling on the carbon composite had already been fixed by applying a patch. It went unannounced because Boeing did not expect the problem to have any impact on the 787’s overall cost or production schedule.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Image: Flickr)

Post from: EveryJoe

Boeing Faces Dreamliner Setback

Boeing’s Dreamliner Still on the Ground

Ali — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:04:26 +0000

Boeing unveiled the 787 Dreamliner in July, “the world’s first mostly composite commercial airplane” expected to burn 20% less fuel than comparable aircrafts. It will fly faster, farther, quieter and more efficiently than any other medium-sized jet, when it flies that is.

The “environmentally progressive” aircraft uses advanced composite design with lighter carbon-fiber materials. The wings, tail, nose and flight deck have been engineered for maximum aerodynamic streamlining. Less weight, less resistance, less fuel, less emissions. And less than on time.

CNN reported yesterday that the Dreamliner:

…will be at least six months late. Acknowledging that early problems assembling the first 787s have disrupted its schedule, the aerospace company said Wednesday it is delaying initial deliveries of the ballyhooed aircraft by six months. Instead of next May, the first deliveries are now targeted for late November or December 2008.

This latest setback isn’t expected to affect the company’s earnings, but their shares on the NYSE did take a dive after the announcement, down 2.5%. I will keep you posted.

In the meantime, take a look and let me know what you think about Boeing’s Dreamliner.