787 Dreamliner achives Initial Airworthiness

Today the 787 Dreamliner passed a significant milestone when it completed initial airworthiness testing.  This means that additional members from the flight test crew will be allowed onboard the aircraft during flight tests.  It also means that more aircraft can now take part in the flight test program, which is what Boeing intends to do with the four additional 787's it has in various stages of production.  They will go alongside the 2 existing 787's (ZA001 & ZA002) that are already performing flight tests.  The flight test program has already completed 15 flights with a total flight time of 60 hours.  They have taken the 787 to an altitude of 30,000 ft. and a speed of Mach 0.65.  Future tests will involve taking the 787 to an altitude and speed of 40,000 ft. and Mach 0.85, respectively.  And even further down the road will be tests that will take the aircraft to well beyond its expected operating conditions.

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4th 747 Dreamlifter makes inagural flight

Today in Taipei, Taiwan, the 4th & final Dreamlifter successfully completed its inaugural flight, with a total flight time of 3 hours, 39 minutes.  The Dreamlifter is a specially modified 747-400 and is used for transport of the large composite barrel sections of the Dreamliner.  The modification of the 747-400 was performed at Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp. in Taipei.  The 4th Dreamlifter aircraft is expected to enter service in February 2010.

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2nd 787 returns to Everett to clear debris in fuel tank

The 2nd Dreamliner to ever take the skies (ZA002) flew back to Everett yesterday after debris was discovered inside its fuel tanks.  Flight testing for this aircraft cannot resume until the tanks are cleared of the foreign particulate matter.  This return flight to Everett is only the aircraft's 2nd flight since its inaugural first flight on Dec. 22nd.  In contrast, the 1st Dreamliner (ZA001) has been performing continuous around-the-clock flight testing.  This is not the only hiccup that has affected ZA002.  During its first flight, the support strut for the landing gear did not deploy properly, so the aircraft had to land with the landing gear doors wide open.  But neither the fuel tank debris or the landing gear issue was the reason why ZA002 has remained on the ground.  Rather, the plan was to intentionally keep the aircraft grounded so it can undergo ground tests as well as have new instrumentation installed.

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C-17's bring relief supplies and volunteers to Haiti

In the aftermath of the recent 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12th, the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command has deployed Boeing C-17's to the Caribbean island to help bring relief supplies and humanitarian aid workers.  In addition, Boeing is donating $50,000 to the worldwide relief efforts.  If you would like to donate, CNN has compiled a links list of organizations who are currently assisting in relief efforts.  I believe these organizations are highly reputable, and you can be rest-assured that your donation will go to where it's needed most.

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Organizations for Haiti Relief

Can't be in front of a computer?  Have a cell phone that can text?  Then simply text the word Haiti to the number 90999.  You'll automatically donate $10 to Red Cross Haiti Relief efforts.  The $10 will be applied on your next cell phone bill.  Simple and easy, plus it'll make you feel all good inside.

Boeing delivers 4th KC-767 Tanker to Japan

Last Friday, Boeing handed over the 4th & final KC-767 Tanker to the Japan Ministry of Defense, on schedule and within budget.  The first three tankers were delivered in February 2008, March 2008, and March 2009.  The KC-767 Tanker for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, based on the 767-200ER platform, is a convertible freighter variant, meaning that it can carry cargo or passengers along with its primary role as an aerial refueling tanker.  The KC-767 Tanker Japanese tanker is slightly different than the proposed KC-767 tanker being offered by Boeing for the U.S. Air Force's Tanker Replacement program.

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Airbus A400M project in jeopardy

According to Thomas Enders, CEO of Airbus, there is a 50-50 chance that the A400 military transporter may be scrapped unless the European nations that placed orders for the aircraft (Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Luxembourg, Belgium, & Turkey) agree to share the cost of several billion euros in additional development costs.  The 7 nations have until a self-imposed deadline of January 31st to come to a decision on the additional financing and a new delivery schedule for the A400M.  If the project is abandoned, as much as 40,000 jobs in Europe could be affected, a significant economic impact which I am certain is being thoroughly considered by the 7 countries, especially amidst the global economic crisis.  But one man's loss is another man's gain: if the A400M is indeed canceled, then Europe could potentially turn to alternative aircraft (Boeing's C-17 Globemaster III perhaps) to replace their aging transport fleet.

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787 Dreamliner family

I thought I'd take a couple minutes and list the differences between the various models of the Dreamliner family.  Not listed is the 787-10 model, which would effectively have been a replacement for Boeing's 777 family.  Boeing is mulling over whether or not to bring the 787-10 to market, and has also recently reconsidered the market viability of the 787-3.

787-3
Seating:  290~330 passengers
Range:  2,500~3,050 nautical miles
Cross Section:  226 in.
Wing Span:  170 ft.
Length:  186 ft.
Height:  56 ft.
Cruise Speed:  Mach 0.85
Max Takeoff Weight:  364,000 lbs.
Total Cargo Volume:  4,400 cu. ft.

787-8
Seating:  210~250 passengers
Range:  7,650~8,200 nautical miles
Cross Section:  226 in.
Wing Span:  197 ft.
Length:  186 ft.
Height:  56 ft.
Cruise Speed:  Mach 0.85
Max Takeoff Weight:  484,000 lbs.
Total Cargo Volume:  4,400 cu. ft.

787-9
Seating:  250~290 passengers
Range:  8,000~8,500 nautical miles
Cross Section:  226 in.
Wing Span:  208 ft.
Length:  206 ft.
Height:  56 ft.
Cruise Speed:  Mach 0.85
Max Takeoff Weight:  540,000 lbs.
Total Cargo Volume:  5,400 cu. ft.

Boeing reconsiders "market viability" of 787-3

The 787-3 was to be a short-range derivative of the Dreamliner platform, and would be able to carry between 290-330 passengers.  Originally, the only two customers who ordered the 787-3 were All Nippon Airways with 28 orders and Japan Airlines with 13 orders.  JAL had converted its 787-3 orders to the standard and longer range 787-8 model, which can seat roughly 250 passengers.  But now ANA has also decided to convert its 787-3 orders to the 787-8.  With the 787-3 having no customers, Boeing is reconsidering the market demand for that aircraft, which could mean scrapping the aircraft altogether.

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