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The Boeing 787 ‘Dreamliner’ is a mid size, twin engine, wide body jet developed by the Boeing company.
The decision to develop such a plane was brought about by the need for a replacement for the Boeing 767 which was experiencing falling sales, due to stiff competition from the Airbus A330-200.
Boeing states that the 787 is a much more fuel efficient aircraft, due to technological advances in aerodynamics, more efficient engines, and reduction of weight. The reduction of weight is attributed to the use of composite materials for most of it’s construction, as well as more advanced systems such as electric pumps used in place of hydraulics. It is estimated that the 787 will come in 30,000 to 40,000 lbs lighter than A330.-200.
The initial design of 787 featured a very rakish nose and cockpit windows, and a very ‘dolphin like’ vertical stabiliser (tail). The final design has settled on a more conventional vertical stabiliser as well as reduced rakishness to the nose.
Not only is the 787 a very technologically advanced aircraft, but the way in which it is constructed is also quite new for Boeing. The actual components are constructed in location all over the globe, and brought together at Boeings Everett plant. The target is to be able assemble the completed aircraft in Everett in three days. See the assembly page for more details.
When the 787 program was first launched the aircraft was known as the 7E7, and depending on the audience, Boeing would say it stood for ‘environmentally friendly’, ’efficient’, but in the end they said it simply stood for Eight. See the history page for more details. The aircraft launch has suffered many delays, however, there was an official roll out of the prototype in Everett on the 8th of July 2008, which in American date format of course is written, 7/8/7 Please use the menu above to find out more about this new aircraft.
The maiden flight of prototype aircraft fianlly took place on 15 December 2009.
Please use the menu above find out more.
