Mini update on 787

[JF Mezei]

As part of a Boeing statement on its financials:

##
Progress on the new 787 Dreamliner continues on the revised schedule
announced in December. The company expects the first flight to occur in
the second quarter of 2009 with deliveries to begin in the first quarter
of 2010. Recent milestones include completion of build-verification
tests on Airplane 1, clearance of all systems hardware and Rolls-Royce
engines for first flight, completion of power-on for Airplane 2, and the
beginning of final assembly for the sixth and final flight test
airplane. The program saw orders for 32 airplanes cancelled by mutual
agreement with customers during the quarter. Total firm orders are now
886 airplanes from 57 customers.
##

In that statement Boeing also revealed that the 747 is currently losing
money, and the announced reduction in production rate would reduce the
planned losses for the 747.

In terms of the 787, one analyst I heard on TV said that he expected
another delay for the 787. What is the feeling on this ? Since they seem
to have progressed greatly, with power on for #2, it would seem to me
that they must have worked through the problems by now and maybe the
plane will get its first flight on time ?

What would not surprise me however is Boeing announcing slower ramp up
of production (which would induce further delivery delays).
--
misc.travel.air-industry is a moderated newsgroup. Please mail messages to
mt...@airinfo.aero, and see http://mtai.airinfo.aero for the FAQ and policies.