Boeing 787 Unveiled

[IJ Reilly]

I think there's a rather different attitude to design for car and planes. If a car is good looking it'll sell even it it has poor aerodynamics, like SUVs. If a plane has poor aerodynamics it'll fall out of the sky, even the best salesman is not going to be able to gloss over that offering free floor mats or throwing in Sat-Nav.

This kind of goes along with my previous post about composite airframes. Aircraft designers are a very conservative lot. But pilots, they make the designers looks like daredevils. The technology of aviation is slow to change because the tried-and-true tends to win out, in terms of acceptance by the people who buy and fly.

Example: Cessna started manufacturing the four-seat Cessna 172 (Skyhawk) in 1956, which in turn was virtually identical to the Cessna 170 made for years before that. By the late '60s, the 172 was starting to look its age, so Cessna designed the 177 (Cardinal), and started selling it as a replacement for the 172 in 1968. It was a much more advanced design. Pilots immediately hated it -- mainly because it didn't "fly like a Cessna." This airplane developed such a bad reputation among pilots that Cessna had to give up on it after about ten years. But they still make the 172, an airframe design which is now nearly 60 years old. New is a tough sell in aviation.

 

[dpaanlka]

I think it'd be a good debate both the A380 and the 787 have advanced airliner technology. I like the way they both took a different approach to the next gen airliner.

Well Airbus people wouldn't have that much to say. The A380 isn't really that revolutionary in anything other than how big it is. The 787 on the other hand, which will more or less replace the 767 (and have a much wider market appeal), has far more "new" technology that has never been used before.

The plane is built in one-piece "sections" of spun carbon composites. These fuselage sections are one complete unit (notice no rivets) and are super lightweight, and very strong. A great fuel savings and I would expect savings on maintenance as well.



The 787 is also the first airliner to be fully-electric. Traditionally, commercial airliners have their electricity supplied by auxiliary "bleed air" systems that harvest some engine power to run a generator. The 787 will be the first to not use this, overall adding to better efficiency (so Boeing says).

As for inside the plane, there will be more ergonomic interior designs, seating, and especially lighting. But the biggest thing customers will notice are the huge windows!



The 787 will also be first to fly GE's highly advanced GEnx engine, which also features new use of carbon fiber composites, and some other unique engine management systems and maintenance procedures.

Rolls Royce Trent 1000s will also be an option for carriers preferring RR engines, and unlike traditional commercial aircraft, the engines will be interchangeable - making a better resale market.

 

[Gymnut]

Well, here's hoping flying Coach will be a much more enjoyable experience.

 

[quagmire]

The 787 will also be first to fly GE's highly advanced GEnx engine, which also features new use of carbon fiber composites, and some other unique engine management systems and maintenance procedures.

Rolls Royce Trent 1000s will also be an option for carriers preferring RR engines, and unlike traditional commercial aircraft, the engines will be interchangeable - making a better resale market.

The RR's Trent 1000's is the launch engine. Believe it or not on how Boeing hyped up the GEnx's. Really looking forward to flying in the 787. While Airbus is scrambling on launching the A380 and the A350, Boeing can finally focus on 737 and 747 replacements.

 

[dpaanlka]

The RR's Trent 1000's is the launch engine.

Yes, I did think that was a strange choice. But I don't think the GEnx is ready yet. The 787 will be the first to fly the GEnx.

 

[Fearless Leader]

Well, here's hoping flying Coach will be a much more enjoyable experience.

well actually Boeing has very little to do with that, It's all up to the customer, the airliner. Don't blame Boeing, Airbus, Other plane manufactures, it's all the greedy airliners stuffing us in there like sardines.

Also this plane when taking off, makes much less noise than any other plane in its category. This is a real issue at some airports where housing developments are near by, because not only is it loud, the sound waves themselves can destroy property.

Boeing had some really neat demonstrations of all the different technology.