Boeing bullish on 787-10, Dreamliner production
Friday December 23, 2005
After what it called "a blockbuster year for the 787," Boeing revealed it has outstanding offers to airlines for more than 500 Dreamliners and 787 Program VP and GM Mike Bair said the airframer hopes to turn many of those offers into firm orders.Following up on yesterday's announcement that Boeing is looking at going ahead with the 787-10, Bair was even more bullish on the dash 10, saying, "a go-ahead is highly likely." He told ATWOnline that the company is finalizing studies on the range/payload tradeoff and that "the business case looks very attractive."
The dash 10 essentially would have the same capacity as the 777-200 but not the performance of the 777-200LR. Deliveries would commence in 2012. Boeing also is more optimistic about a production rate increase for the 787 after exceeding production milestones and conducting structural tests that verified the pressurization level of 6,000 ft. and the aircraft's large window size.
During 2005, Boeing partners manufactured seven barrels, two nose sections and the critical wing box to validate concepts. Two barrels were joined and Bair told media in a conference call Wednesday that the production quality exceeded full-scale targets.
Current production rate for 2008 and 2009 is about nine per month, the highest ever for a twin-aisle aircraft, and the company now is examining raising the rate. That study will be concluded in the first quarter. Bair noted that Boeing will be building 787s in 2007 and parking them for delivery in mid-2008.
by Geoffrey Thomas
ATWOnline
