Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Photo: Boeing
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is Boeing's newest airliner, a midsize twin-engined widebody jet with 200 to more than 300 seats and primarily intended for long-haul flights. It is not as big as the Airbus A380, but actually a successor of the 767. Boeing believes that the future of long-haul flights is in smaller aircraft connecting secondary cities and far less in concentration of flights with very large aircraft flying between big airline hubs.
The 787 was originally designated 7E7 (E stood for 'efficient') and it uses much of the technology intended for the Sonic Cruiser project, a proposed futuristic airliner flying at Mach 0,98, almost as fast as sound. This project was cancelled in the wake of the 9-11 assaults in 2001 and Boeing started work on a more conventional, but very state-of-the-art type of airliner.
Boeing is developing three versions of the Dreamliner: the 787-3, the 787-8 and the 787-9. Under study is a stretched 787-10. The first version to fly is the 787-8, which will carry 210-250 passengers over long distances up to 14,200 or even 15,200 kilometers (7,650 to 8,200 nm). The second version for 250-290 passengers is the 737-9, which can fly 14,800 to 15,750 kilometers (8,000 to 8,500 nm). The third 787-family member will be the 787-3, a short-range version for 290-330 passengers which can fly up to 4,600 to 5,650 kilometers (2,500 to 3,050 nm).
 Boeing applies a lot of new technology in the Dreamliner. It will have engines (General Electric GEnx or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000) which are about 8 percent more fuel efficient compared to current engines in the same power class. Thanks to other improvements, like aerodynamic refinements and the use of light-weight composite materials, Boeing claims a total fuel saving of 20 percent compared to airliners like the 767 and A330. The extensive use of composite materials - 50 per cent of the primary construction - makes the 787 much lighter than when it would be built completely of aluminium. That saves fuel, but also makes construction work easier. Large parts of the fuselage can be built as one piece, eliminating thousands of separate parts and fasteners.
Boeing officially rolled-out the first 787 on July 8 2007 (7-8-07). But the aircraft manufacturer had soon to admit that it suffered major setbacks with the production of the aircraft. The first flight was originally planned in August 2007, but according to the latest timetable the aircraft will fly not earlier than in late June 2008. The first delivery to ANA All Nippon Airways will be in early 2009 instead of May 2008. The delays are due to production problems (shortage of fasteners) and problems with software and system integration. Boeing also has lots of extra work to do on parts delivered by sub-contractors, which do not meet specifications.
The problems contrast with the tremendous sales success that the Boeing 787 is so far. At the moment of the roll-out Boeing had sold about 600 aircraft and in early 2008 more than 850 had been sold. Never before an airliner has sold so well in the early stages of its history.
Photo: Boeing
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Boeing 787-3 - Specifications
Wingspan: 51.7 m (170 ft). Length: 56.7 m (186 ft). Height: 16.9 m (56 ft).
Empty weight: 101,200 kg (223,300 lb). Max. take-off weight: 165,100 kg (364,000 lb).
Accommodation: 290-330 passengers. Range: 4,650 - 5,650 km (2,500 - 3,050 nm).
Cruise speed: Mach 0.85 (487 kts - 903 km/h).
Engines: GE GEnx (235.8 kN - 53,000 lb), or RR Trent 1000 (235.8 kN - 53.000 lb).
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Boeing 787-8 - Specifications
Wingspan: 60.1 m (197 ft). Length: 56.7 m (186 ft). Height: 16.9 m (56 ft).
Empty weight: 109,800 kg (242,000 lb). Max. take-off weight: 219,450 kg (484,000 lb).
Accommodation: 210 - 250 passengers. Range: 14,200 - 15,200 km (7,650 - 8,200 nm).
Cruise speed: Mach 0.85 (487 kts - 903 km/h).
Engines: GE GEnx (284.7 kN - 64,000 lb), or RR Trent 1000 (284.7 kN - 64.000 lb).
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Boeing 787-9 - Specifications
Wingspan: 63 m (208 ft). Length: 62.8 m (206 ft). Height: 16.9 m (56 ft).
Empty weight: 115,200 kg (254,000 lb). Max. take-off weight: 244,900 kg (540,000 lb).
Accommodation: 250 - 290 passengers. Range: 14,800 - 15,750 km (8,000 - 8,500 nm)
Cruise speed: Mach 0.85 (487 kts - 903 km/h).
Engines: GE GEnx (311.4 kN - 70,000 lb) or RR Trent 1000 (311.4 kN - 70.000 lb).
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