Boeing Dreamliner Moves Closer to First Flight
The final structure for Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner was delivered to the giant firm's Everett plant yesterday, following the wings' arrival the previous day.
A combination of the work of several companies/nations, this fuselage is constructed of the following components:-
- Section 43 - A forward fuselage section manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries of Japan
- Section 44 - A central fuselage section made by the Italian firm Alenia Aeronautica
- Sections 11+45 - The central wing tank and wheel well, manufactured by both Fuji Heavy Industries and KHI; the former joining these two sections
- Section 46 - A further central fuselage section made by Alenia Aeronautica
The fuselage arrived at Everett in the Boeing Dreamlifter; a highly modified 747 with a capacious cargo hold developed specifically to transport large segments of plane around the globe.
Commenting during what has so far been a frenetic week for Boeing, and a milestone in the development of this hugely significant 21st airliner, Scott Strode, 787 Vice President of Airplane Definition and Production, stated: "What an accomplishment for our entire 787 team". This fuselage section represents the hard work of hundreds of people around the globe. The Dreamliner is no dream anymore - it's real, and it's here."
The Boeing Dreamliner project began in the late 1990s, designed to replace Boeing's 767 twin-jet airliner series. A revolutionary aircraft, the Dreamliner is significant in that the majority of its construction is from composite materials - the first time this has been used on an aircraft of this size.
The Dreamliner's first flight is due on the 8th July this year, with the first scheduled service beginning in 2008.
Source- Airport International's US Correspondent
