Boeing counting on lift from 787 Dreamliner

[Chuck]

Carbon fiber has never been implemented to this extend in a jetliner. The 787 will consume 30% less fuel than a conventional plane

Karen West - MSNBC- May 3, 2009

The sooner if flies, the better for Boeing and the economy. Can't wait for carbon fibres to be a cost-effective option in cars --Ed.

After two years of costly and embarrassing delays, the first flight of Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner is on track for the end of June. When the 787 does lift off, Boeing officials hope it takes the company's stock with it.

As Boeing Chairman and CEO Jim McNerney told shareholders in Chicago on April 27, the $10 billion 787 program has been the company's most challenging “and the most critical to our future growth and success.”

Unlike typical slumps in the cyclical aerospace industry, this downturn has cut a wide swath, pummeling Boeing's stock, profits, airplane orders, production and employment rates. The declining demand for airplanes pushed Boeing to cut 10,000 jobs in January, and the company said last month it will cut production on its 777 widebody jetliner by 28 percent. As a result, Standard & Poor's placed Boeing's credit rating under review for possible downgrade. Boeing also is delaying a planned production increase on its 747-8 and 767 commercial jets.... [Read More]

[PaleMelanesian]

A college friend went straight to work at Boeing, on the 787 project from day 1. That was 11 years ago. I know you want to get things exactly right, but this is pushing the edge of ridiculous.

[Chuck]

I don't know the aerospace industry, but it's been mentioned here it takes about five years to get a car from drawing board to showroom. The stakes on the 787 for Boeing are not unlike the Volt for GM - both have a lot of new technology going into it.

Anyway, I hope the test flight in June goes well.

[Earthling]

My brother is an engineer with Boeing, and says there have been a lot of problems with the 787 due to subcontractors being spread all over the world.

Harry

[Chuck]

Boeing's next plane will be a carbon-fibre replacement for all their small jetliners, including the 737. Then they will do the same for the 747 and 777.

[RichXKU]

Originally Posted by Delta Flyer

The sooner if flies, the better for Boeing and the economy. Can't wait for carbon fibres to be a cost-effective option in cars --Ed.

Be sure to thank your local auto racing team, performance division (BMW M3, Corvette ZR1), and even the kid down the street with the aftermarket hood, for making carbon fiber just a little more accessible and mainstream than it would have been for automotive use.