From the delivery of parts to their assembly, from painting the aircraft
to its first take-off, discover all the different stages of the
construction of Air France's first Boeing 787 in the workshops in
Everett in the United States, before its arrival at Paris-CDG on
December 2nd.
To get the breakthrough innovations in Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing had to rethink the way it makes airplanes. Tom Cogan, director of Airplane Development, explains how the game-changing jetliner that is built in a revolutionary way. Learn more about the stories of the innovations that define Boeing .
Responding to the
overwhelming preference of airlines around the world, Boeing Commercial
Airplanes' launched the 787 Dreamliner, a super-efficient airplane. An
international team of top aerospace companies is building the airplane, led by
Boeing at its Everett, Wash. facility near Seattle.
The
787-8 Dreamliner will carry 210 - 250 passengers on routes of 7,650 to 8,200
nautical miles (14,200 to 15,200 kilometers), while the 787-9 Dreamliner will
carry 250 - 290 passengers on routes of 8,000 to 8,500 nautical miles (14,800
to 15,750 kilometers).
In
addition to bringing big-jet ranges to mid-size airplanes, the 787 provides
airlines with unmatched fuel efficiency, resulting in exceptional environmental
performance. The airplane uses 20 percent less fuel than today's similarly
sized airplanes. It will also travel at a similar speed as today's fastest wide
bodies, Mach 0.85. Airlines will enjoy more cargo revenue capacity.
Passengers
will also see improvements on the 787 Dreamliner, from an interior environment
with higher humidity to increased comfort and convenience.
The
key to the exceptional performance of the 787 Dreamliner is a suite of new
technologies developed and applied on the airplane.
Composite
materials make up 50 percent of the primary structure of the 787 including the
fuselage and wing.
Modern
systems architecture is at the heart of the 787's design. It is simpler than
today's airplanes and offers increased functionality and efficiency. For
example, the team has incorporated airplane health-monitoring systems that
allow the airplane to self-monitor and report systems maintenance requirements
to ground-based computer systems.
New
engines from General Electric and Rolls-Royce are used on the 787. Advances in
engine technology are the biggest contributor to overall fuel efficiency improvements.
The new engines represent nearly a two-generation jump in technology for the
middle of the market.
The
design and build process of the 787 has added further efficiency improvements.
New technologies and processes have been developed to help Boeing and its
supplier partners achieve the efficiency gains. For example, manufacturing a
one-piece fuselage section has eliminated 1,500 aluminum sheets and 40,000 -
50,000 fasteners.
The
787 program was launched in April 2004 with a record order from All-Nippon
Airways. Fifty-eight customers from six continents of the world have placed
orders for 851 airplanes valued over $175 billion, making it the most
successful twin-aisle launch of a new commercial airplane in Boeing's history.
The 787 program opened its final assembly plant in Everett in May 2007. First
flight of the 787 Dreamliner occurred on December 15, 2009.
More
than 50 of the world's most capable top-tier supplier partners are working with
Boeing to bring innovation and expertise to the 787 program. The suppliers have
been involved since the early detailed design phase of the program and all are
connected virtually at 135 sites around the world. First delivery of the 787 to
ANA took place on Sept. 25, 2011.
