Apr 23, 2013, 7:44 pm
Last edit by: jspira
Boeing's Dreamliner was grounded by regulators around the world on January 16, 2013 due to unknown problems relating to the aircraft's high-tech lithium-ion batteries.
Link to how lithium ion batteries work.
Link to further explanation of lithium ion and the 787 battery.
After several months, the FAA approved Boeing's plan for a series of fixes to the aircraft's battery and related systems.
Boeing engineers have started to implement the fixes and the FAA issued an airworthiness directive on April 25, 2013 allowing flights to begin.
As of mid May, all 8 Dreamliner operators have begun to announce dates for the relaunch.
Link to how lithium ion batteries work.
Link to further explanation of lithium ion and the 787 battery.
After several months, the FAA approved Boeing's plan for a series of fixes to the aircraft's battery and related systems.
Boeing engineers have started to implement the fixes and the FAA issued an airworthiness directive on April 25, 2013 allowing flights to begin.
As of mid May, all 8 Dreamliner operators have begun to announce dates for the relaunch.
General Dreamliner FAQ and Information Thread
Apr 25, 2013 | 12:32 pm
#16
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And one of the last pieces of the puzzle has come together...
FAA Issues Airworthiness Directive Allowing Dreamliner to Fly
FAA Issues Airworthiness Directive Allowing Dreamliner to Fly
Ending a three-month long saga that kept Boeing’s high-tech 787 Dreamliner grounded, the Federal Aviation Administration Thursday issued an airworthiness directive that formally approved of Boeing’s battery redesign and allows the aircraft to return to the skies once that fix has been implemented on a particular plane.
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Apr 25, 2013 | 2:24 pm
#17
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Full details from CNN:
Dreamliners Inching Toward The Runway
Dreamliners Inching Toward The Runway
The FAA stated that any 787's return to service would only take place after the agency monitors modifications of the aircraft in the U.S. fleet and inspects the work.
"An FAA inspector will have to accept the work before the airplane technically is in compliance with the (directive)," said FAA spokesman Les Dorr.
...
The directive requires that 787 operators install "main battery and auxiliary power unit battery enclosures (APU) and environmental control system (ECS) ducts; and replacing the main battery, the APU battery and their respective battery chargers."
"Once modifications are completed on individual airplanes, our customers will determine, with their regulatory authorities, when to return their 787s to service," said Birtel.
"An FAA inspector will have to accept the work before the airplane technically is in compliance with the (directive)," said FAA spokesman Les Dorr.
...
The directive requires that 787 operators install "main battery and auxiliary power unit battery enclosures (APU) and environmental control system (ECS) ducts; and replacing the main battery, the APU battery and their respective battery chargers."
"Once modifications are completed on individual airplanes, our customers will determine, with their regulatory authorities, when to return their 787s to service," said Birtel.
Apr 27, 2013 | 8:16 am
#18
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Boeing 787 Dreamliner returns to service in Ethiopia flight
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22315317
An Ethiopian Airlines 787 Dreamliner has flown from Addis Ababa to Nairobi, the first commercial flight by the Boeing aircraft since all 787s were grounded in January.
May 11, 2013 | 2:55 pm
#19
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All 8 operators have made some provisions for a Dreamliner relaunch:
The Complete Guide to the Dreamliner Relaunch
The Complete Guide to the Dreamliner Relaunch
After four months of hand wringing and headlines, the Federal Aviation Administration approved Boeing’s retrofit battery-system design for the 787 Dreamliner on April 19. This move allowed Boeing and the eight airlines that operate the high-tech aircraft to begin modifying the 50 that have been delivered and were grounded in January. Ethiopian Airlines became the first operator to restart commercial flights on April 27, followed by Qatar Airways on May 1.
The two largest Dreamliner operators, All Nippon Airways, which owns 17 of the jets, and Japan Airlines, which has seven, are in Japan and will start up flights in June....
The two largest Dreamliner operators, All Nippon Airways, which owns 17 of the jets, and Japan Airlines, which has seven, are in Japan and will start up flights in June....
Aug 24, 2013 | 10:08 pm
#20
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Boeing Rolls Out First 787-9 Dreamliner
Headline says it all... here's hoping the 787-9 will be more trouble-free in its first few years.
Boeing’s First 787-9 Dreamliner Rolls Out
Boeing’s First 787-9 Dreamliner Rolls Out
Boeing announced that it has completed the manufacture of the first 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The new plane rolled out of the airplane manufacturer’s Everett, Washington factory on Saturday to the flight line.
In the coming weeks, Boeing employees will be preparing it for its first flight later this summer....
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In the coming weeks, Boeing employees will be preparing it for its first flight later this summer....
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Aug 27, 2013 | 3:09 pm
#21
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Dreamliner 787-9 rolls out
The latest to join the family. The extended Dreamliner is now out for test flights. Don't know about you, but I am thrilled.http://www.boeing.com/boeing/return%20false.
Promo pic from Boeing.
Promo pic from Boeing.
Aug 28, 2013 | 10:23 am
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Oct 16, 2013 | 9:53 am
#27
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Fuselage panel falls from [Air India] Boeing 787 Dreamliner in flight
http://www.chicagotribune.com/busine...,6643248.story
Not much detail in this article, although I'm inclined to think it has to do with ground crew error moreso than any sort of assembly error or inherent issue with the aircraft integrity itself.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/busine...,6643248.story
Not much detail in this article, although I'm inclined to think it has to do with ground crew error moreso than any sort of assembly error or inherent issue with the aircraft integrity itself.