Will Boeing Co 787-10’s New BluePrint Help It Out Shine
On December 3, 2015, Boeing Co announced the completion of its 787-10 Dreamliner’s detailed design. The process got accomplished two weeks ahead of the schedule and gave ample room to the aircraft manufacturer to gather better procurement equipment. The assembly of new plane will start in 2016, with first flight out in 2017. The delivery is expected to start in 2018.
Boeing 787-10 has so far received 164 orders from nine customers, out of which Singapore Airlines, Air Lease Corporation, and Etihad Airways topped with 30 planes order each. The updated version of 787-family comprises 323 passengers seating capacity, with significantly lower fuel consumption than current-generation’s similar size jets.
Overall, the company has to deliver 4,231 planes of 737-family; 788 planes of 787-family; 588 planes of 777-family, 79 planes of 767-family, whereas 20 planes of 747-family.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner family has been in news for a long time due to different problems.
The first issue emerged in 2012, when the risk of cyber-attacks emerged due to back door virus in airplane’s computer chip.
In January 2013, a battery issue emerged that grounded the whole fleet. In April 2013, FAA approved Boeing 787 Battery design changes, and the Dreamliner got green signal to fly.
In January 2013, B787 Critical Systems Review Team (CSRT) was also jointly made by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing. The purpose was to conduct an extensive review of the B787’s critical systems. This would include the airplane’s design, assembly, and manufacture, as well as to provide recommendations.
In March 2014, FAA issued a press release, in which it stated that CSRT experts found 787 Dreamliner soundly designed and met its envisioned safety level. It is further clarified that Boeing and FAA had effective courses in place to recognize and rectify issues that appeared before and after certification.
In May 2015, the wide-body aircraft again suffered from US air safety authority’s warning. This time it was a software bug that shutdown Boeing’s 787 electric system and could be a possible reason of aircraft’s control loss. It was observed that plane’s electrical generators were falling into a failsafe mode, if they are kept continuously powered on for 248 days. The plane contains four main generator-control units that could fail altogether to cause a complete electrical shutdown, if powered on at the same time.
In July 2015, another Airworthiness Directive (AD) was issued, stating that deficiencies in the flight control module (FCM) software were found. It is ordered to update software; otherwise continued safe flight and landing would not be possible.
In September 2015, FAA again warned the company for proximity sensor failure in 787-8 airplanes. It was asked to replace the slat skew detection mechanism assembly (DMA).
The last AD was issued on November 5, 2015 where it was stated that missing plugs were found during prior 787-8 planes delivery inspection in lower cargo compartments. Boeing was directed to place the plugs in proper place to avoid fire..
The increased issues in Boeing 787 are blamed upon its reliance over outsourcing. Initially, its wing tips were made in Korea, cargo doors in Sweden, the cabin lighting in Germany, landing gear in France, whereas escape slides were manufactured in New Jersey. Later, the problems at multiple fronts pushed the company to take back business in house.