Problems with 787?
Jun 8, 2006 | 2:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Seattle
Programs: United 1P, Alaska MVPG 75K, Hyatt Daimond
Posts: 428
Problems with 787?
With all the bad news hitting Airbus recenlty, look like boeing may be having a little problem of their own. Given all the things they are juggling, I really do wonder whether they will make the 2008 deadline
http://www.businessweek.com/technolo...607_864925.htm
http://www.businessweek.com/technolo...607_864925.htm
Jun 8, 2006 | 2:55 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Programs: Bar Alliance Gold
Posts: 16,280
At last report the plane was 1.5% over the target weight, but since only 25% of the structure has been "frozen", Boeing still has plenty of time to attempt to address it.
And yes, subcontractors are having ramp-up issues, and Boeing is preparing to do some of the work on the first frames themselves at Everett if they need to.
Still, as with many of the sensational headlines used by the world's media to try and portray Airbus' issues worse then they in actuality are, it is much the same with BusinessWeek's "On a wing and a prayer" one.
And yes, subcontractors are having ramp-up issues, and Boeing is preparing to do some of the work on the first frames themselves at Everett if they need to.
Still, as with many of the sensational headlines used by the world's media to try and portray Airbus' issues worse then they in actuality are, it is much the same with BusinessWeek's "On a wing and a prayer" one.
Jun 8, 2006 | 3:23 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: unreserved car luggage rack
Programs: Indian Railways Wallah Program
Posts: 6,531
Originally Posted by toadman
With a system as complex as an airplane, I would be surprised if there weren't any problems.
Will the problems be a big deal? It depends entirely on the margin of error Boeing management gave their engineers, and what the difference between marketing promises and internal figures were. Boeing did set a very aggressive schedule - the substantial popularity may prove a hindrance not a blessing at this stage.
Jun 8, 2006 | 11:06 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA*G, UA 1MM
Posts: 1,276
I seem to remember a quote from Alan Mullaly in one of the local business jurnals that the 777 was overweight by about the same amount at the same point in the program. I'll see if I can dig it up. The 777 problem seemed to work out OK 
Jun 9, 2006 | 9:22 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Programs: Bar Alliance Gold
Posts: 16,280
Both Seattle papers had articles about the fuselage barrel issue and it looks to be one easily addressed. It was more a case of trying to push the boundaries a bit too far on one piece to see if it could be made lighter and faster then any problems with CFRP or the design itself.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...amliner09.html
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/busine...uselage09.html
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...amliner09.html
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/busine...uselage09.html