Author Topic: Boeing begins assembling 2nd 787 for flight testing  (Read 2082 times)

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Offline Wretched Excess

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Boeing begins assembling 2nd 787 for flight testing
« on: February 16, 2008, 09:10:31 PM »
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Boeing begins assembling 2nd 787 for flight testing

EVERETT – The Boeing Co. today began putting together its second flight test 787 Dreamliner at its factory in Everett.

Already many months behind schedule on its first 787, Boeing said the major assemblies for the second plane arrived from suppliers in a greater level of completeness. The company sourced out the design and building of large sections of the 787 with global partners. The assemblies for the initial 787 have required far more attention in Everett than Boeing anticipated, forcing the company to delay its Dreamliner by nearly a year.

“Condition of assembly is much better and we will see continued improvements on the condition of each assembly shipped,” said Steve Westby, vice president of 787 final assembly, in a company press statement. “All this helps to bring us back into alignment with the original design of our production system."

While this is the second of six flight-test airplanes, this Dreamliner is actually the fourth on the production line. It follows the two airplanes that will be used for static and fatigue testing.

Boeing said that production on subsequent airplanes is going well with 21 aircraft in various stages of production.

The company will provide an update on the revised delivery schedule for the Dreamliner in April. Company officials have said the 787 will make its first flight by the end of the second quarter.

Since its launch in April 2004, the 787 Dreamliner has won 857 firm orders valued at $144 billion from 56 airlines.

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the boeing vs. airbus thing always captures my attention.

(and the econ forum needs the traffic :wink:)