Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner flies today
15 Dec 2009
Everett, Washington: Boeing's 787 Dreamliner passenger aircraft will today take to the skies on its maiden test flight, bringing to an end a saga of production delays, strikes and technical glitches. The aircraft, the most heavily sold pre-production aircraft in aviation history, is currently running two years behind schedule.
"We think it's a game changer because it provides so much value to the customer," Jim Albaugh, Boeing executive vice president and CEO, said in a television interview. "We think this is going to be a very efficient airplane. It's going to change the way people travel."
"It's more environmentally friendly, it's more efficient, uses less fuel, it's going to cost the operator less to fly, it's going to allow the passengers to pay less and feel better when they land," Albaugh said Monday.
The aircraft, the first major commercial passenger aircraft to be made of mostly composite materials, has been touted by Boeing as being a relatively lighter and faster aircraft that will enable airlines to save up to 20 per cent in fuel costs.
Boeing also claims that the new construction material will hold up better to wear and tear resulting from flight than traditional aluminium. Boeing notched up orders for more than 850 aircraft- the largest order ever of any pre-production passenger aircraft in aviation history.
The Dreamliner can seat between 200-300 passengers and can travel more than 2,500 nautical miles.
Though the 787 will only enter commercial service in 2011, Boeing executives hope a successful debut flight will restore some of the lost confidence that the programme suffers from after two years of delays.
The 787 will have atleast 10 months of test flying ahead of it before certification.
