Boeings 787 Aggressive Flight Test Schedule

[rfresh]

I don't understand why Boeing has established such an aggressive flight test schedule for their 787 aircraft? It seems to me they are just setting themselves up for missing more milestones.

They missed their end of August first flight and now that's been rescheduled until the end of this year.

They were in such a hurry to get the no.1 ship put together they used thousands of temporary fasteners and now they have to replace all of them before first flight.

And I really don't understand how they can still mantain they will make first customer delivery by May 2008! A 5 month FAA certification program has never been done before.

What is the huge rush? The A-350 is their only competitor and that a/c is 2 years away from first flight.

 

[COpilot]

Are you kidding?

It's all about money; the stockholders money, the airlines money, the suppliers money, the passengers money, the chief executives bonus money, the engineers x-mas bonus, etc., etc.

Did you not read about the huge losses incurred by Airbus over the delays with the A380, and to some extent the 350? (good people lost face, lost jobs, lost careers over delays) This is big business BILLIONS of dollars size business. Someone dosen't buy a product for $150M to say "oh,,, don't worry when you get it to me, we can adjust our whole international route structure overnight".

 

[Schiphol]

First to market for next gen aircraft is a primary concern.

But the biggest reason is that they have to push now because they have promised delivery dates that they must hit OR they start paying their customers huge penalties.

Delays in new aircraft are inevitable. Ironically, it was a lack of fasteners worldwide and not major sub-assemblies that delayed initial construction of #1 and the follow on aircraft.

The WSJ has had some good coverage on the business implications of the test flight and certification process.

According to sub-contractors and analysts Boeing is running this 78 cert right up against the wire. One minor issue and the program could slide bigtime.

my $.02

 

[rfresh]

I understand about business and stock holder pressures, etc. - but their schedule cannot be executed as published - all they have done is set themselves up to hold press releases and announce more delays in the program.

Does anyone really think they can certify the 787 in 5 months and deliver in May 08? No way and they of all companies *should* know better!

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

From what I've read, a 6 month delay seems about the best Boeing can do right now.

cliff
GRB

PS-The -380 starts revenue service for Singapore next month. Some people have paid $100K for seats on the first flight.

 

[B6 Tech]

Hey take this for what its worth. I work for Sikorsky. And here, dead lines are made to be blown. Trust me, we have a few in the works right now. Boeing will be just fine. Get it right and fuc% the damn dead line.

As far as replacing fasteners, Ha, I really don't know how to respond. We rework every day. The 787 is going to get to the market. Just be happy Boeing is doing it in a safe manner rather than on a time sched ( yes I know they actually have one ). If you push it 6 months and prove or improve a system or subsystem in the process, who's complaining? Surely not the fine folks here who may be crossing the Pacific in it...

 

[Ex737Driver]

The A-350 is their only competitor and that a/c is 2 years away from first flight.

2? Try 7. They are nowhere near close for the 350. First launch by 2013.

 

[siucavflight]

2? Try 7. They are nowhere near close for the 350. First launch by 2013.

Thats what I thought I heard, when he said 2 years away I was surprised.

 

[taylor01]

I don't understand why Boeing has established such an aggressive flight test schedule for their 787 aircraft? It seems to me they are just setting themselves up for missing more milestones.

They missed their end of August first flight and now that's been rescheduled until the end of this year.

They were in such a hurry to get the no.1 ship put together they used thousands of temporary fasteners and now they have to replace all of them before first flight.

And I really don't understand how they can still mantain they will make first customer delivery by May 2008! A 5 month FAA certification program has never been done before.

What is the huge rush? The A-350 is their only competitor and that a/c is 2 years away from first flight.

You have no idea what you're talking about. Research a topic before you flame away.

 

[rfresh]

>You have no idea what you're talking about.
>Research a topic before you flame away.
I suggest YOU read better before you post:

I missed only one thing: the A350 first flight date - the rest of the items I noted are correct statements.