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Boeing's most important plane could be headed for trouble
The 787 Dreamliner is the first new plane Boeing has designed and built from scratch in 20 years, but its entry into service has been far from smooth. (www.businessinsider.com) और अधिक...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Slow news day at BI? This seems like a big non-story. It's a hot airplane, with lots of orders, but sales are drying up?! Day-traders, buy puts! Airlines are keeping their older and less efficient 767s because they can afford the cheap fuel?! Well sure...for the moment. This may only change the rate of fleet replacement, not that the fleet will be replaced. And what are they gonna buy? It's a better and more efficient airplane, so fuel price doesn't matter if you plan on playing Airline Tycoon for the long run. Here I was expecting a story about how someone discovered the wings may snap off...(they do flex alot).
OK let's see if I have this right...the 787 program is in trouble. The story ends with a mention that fuel prices are back up to $50 a barrel which makes the plane attractive again, and there is a backlog of 750 airplanes.
God what a confusing article.
God what a confusing article.
When Boeing was getting close to rolling out the 787, I had a tour of the design center where they designed and tested the interior layouts. They went into detail about how they did it and the psychological theories and testing they did to make the passenger experience great. They showed us various layouts that they proposed for the 787 interior. They were all very nice and spacious. However, it was pretty clear that no carrier (US anyway) would use them because there was too much space that could be used for seats that was not being used that way. There was almost no chance that the average coach passenger would see an interior as spacious as Boeing proposed.
This month I flew a couple of times with the 787 Dreamliner. I found there are serious pros and cons. As pros it has reduced noise levels inside, and the flight at cruising altitude is very smooth and stable. But as cons I must say that the whole aircraft's construction feels too 'light'. Not only the sounds of flaps mechanics and landing gear become very intrusive this way, but more seriously, cabin sturdiness is a real issue during take off and landing. When the wheels hit the ground, the whole cabin is shaking enormously, the bagage bins wobble an inch or more. The toilet 'cabins' are only attached to the floor and not to the ceiling (!), and so you see clearly in the gap between the toilets and the ceiling how the whole airplane body is rocking and swinging inches from left to right above the toilets. It does not feel sturdy, at all. And indeed the seating is a bit too narrow for a 100 kg male.
Aircraft are designed to flex slightly. If an airliner was rigid it would not be able to absorb the forces of takeoffs, landings, maneuvers and turbulence. I would guess the 787 would be particularly flexible because of its composite construction, and Boeing designed it to do so. http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/tech_ops/read.main/267122/
However, take this all with a grain of salt because I haven't been on one.
However, take this all with a grain of salt because I haven't been on one.
Yes, I know. But I'm comparing with other Boeing planes like 767-300, 777-200, 747's or with comparable Airbus planes. Mind you, I do like Boeing. And I'm not so easily scared (I found out during a near crash at Funchal airport). And yes, I fly regularly. Still, the Dreamliner's landing was a disappointing experience IMHO.
Bert, I am spot on with your comments. The one thing I would point out regarding the aircraft's construction feeling too "light" is the intentional flexibility of the aircraft in general. As far as the interiors, as I am sure you are aware, that has nothing to do with Boeing's aircraft. I have noticed, increasingly on US carriers especially, the lack of attention to the actual cabin inserts. They do not seem to anchor the sections in place as sturdily as they likely were on initial delivery. I have found the aircraft take-off & landings to be rather smooth. The flaps, wheel retraction, and deployment do seem to be a bit more "noticeable" but I believe the overall flight quietness, along with the increased humidity & cabin air circulation cancel out my negative feeling regarding the wheels, flaps, etc. I am a firm believer the American carriers will continue to push the limits on what we will tolerate as a flying public. Unfortunately, with all of the acquisitions, mergers, and takeovers, there has become too little competition so it is highly unlikely the carriers will do anything customer comfort driven. It will be a continuation of too many seats for the size/type of aircraft. (Sorry for the additional "rant", taking us off subject, just a bit.)
Yes Brent, you're right about the improved cabin air humidity and circulation. I would put that on the pros side.