AP: UPS Orders 14 748s
Oct 27, 2016, 3:48 pm
#1
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AP: UPS Orders 14 748s
Oct 29, 2016, 6:35 am
#3
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Excited to read it, but I fear that this will only extend production a little.
I seriously can't see Boeing keeping the production line open longer than necessary. If they decide to make a 777-8F, which would close the gap to the 747-8F in terms of capacity, they would be essentially running two production lines for the same aircraft.
Pleasing cargo airlines needing 4 engines or the nose door will almost certainly not be sufficient to keep the production line open. if they really want to please those customers, they could always try a tail door (like on the 747-400LCF) or try to give the 777F a tiny upper deck and fit a nose door.
I seriously can't see Boeing keeping the production line open longer than necessary. If they decide to make a 777-8F, which would close the gap to the 747-8F in terms of capacity, they would be essentially running two production lines for the same aircraft.
Pleasing cargo airlines needing 4 engines or the nose door will almost certainly not be sufficient to keep the production line open. if they really want to please those customers, they could always try a tail door (like on the 747-400LCF) or try to give the 777F a tiny upper deck and fit a nose door.
Oct 31, 2016, 12:35 pm
#4
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Any of those ideas would cost more than slowing or even pausing production on the 747 as they would require re-design or re-engineering. I am hopeful the line is moving slow enough that we will see a increases in demand for the 784F
Oct 31, 2016, 11:43 pm
#5
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And more importantly, re-certifying. However, it's a big question -- how many people are on the 747 line? It surely costs a lot to keep them standing around...
Nov 1, 2016, 3:31 am
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Nov 1, 2016, 10:47 am
#7
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That is a very big questions. Hopefully the line is slow enough that the UPS orders plus the 'Special USAF project' will take up some of the slack in the cargo market. There are plenty of 20+ year old 747's flying cargo that will need to be replaced sooner then later.