The Boeing 7E7
Dreamliner (from January 28, 2005 will be known
as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner) is a
super-efficient airplane with new
passenger-pleasing features. It will bring the
economics of large jet transports to the middle
of the market, using 20 percent less fuel than
any other airplane of its size. Customers will
enjoy forty- to sixty-percent more cargo revenue
capacity.
In addition to
improving airplane performance and team
efficiency, computational fluid dynamics and
wind tunnel testing contribute to safety, the
ultimate design goal.
More than
15,000 hours of wind tunnel time will be logged
to develop the Boeing 7E7.
Boeing 7E7
Configurations:
- Boeing
7E7-300 Dreamliner, optimized for shorter
flights, will carry 289 passengers in two
classes up to 6.500 kilometers.
- Boeing
7E7-800 Dreamliner will carry 217 passengers in
three classes, with a range of up to 15.700
kilometers.
- Boeing
7E7-900 Dreamliner, a longer version of the
7E7-800, will carry 257 passengers in three
classes up to 15,400 kilometers.
The Boeing
Company's board of directors has approved the
formal launch on April 26th, 2004 of the new 7E7
Dreamliner passenger jet based on firm order for
50 7E7s from ANA (All Nippon Airways) and the
overall strong business case for the new
airplane. The ANA order is the largest launch
order in history for a new Boeing commercial
jet. Production will begin in 2006. First flight
is expected in 2007 with certification, delivery
and entry into service occurring in 2008
Large 7E7 assemblies will be
transported to the final assembly site on board
modified 747-400s. This transport plan will
result in saving of 20 to 40 percent over
traditional shipping methods and reduce the
amount of time it takes the large parts to
arrive at the final assembly site from as many
as 30 days to only one day. Boeing estimates the
savings of using air transport instead of
shipping will be recouped within the first few
years of production of the 7E7.
