Dreamliner Nears Production

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15976637/

The most amazing part of this article (IMO) is that Boeing is figuring to
build each one in only three days!!! Wow...

Jay B

On Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:10:27 -0700, "Jay Beckman"
wrote in :

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15976637/

The most amazing part of this article (IMO) is that Boeing is figuring to
build each one in only three days!!! Wow...


A few quotes from the article:

they look toward the Dreamliner's first flight in August and the
first delivery to customers in 2008 ...

After all the parts arrive from around the world, workers will
assemble the planes in a hurry...

In a nod to the globalized economy, Boeing is taking a novel step
for the company and allowing outside contractors -- many of them
overseas -- to design and build 70 percent of the Dreamliner. The
wings will come from Japan. Huge parts of the aircraft's body will
arrive from Italy. Britain will deliver engines, and China will
contribute rudders. France is producing the landing gear...

The plane, which will seat 210 to 330 passengers will be made of
composite materials on a scale never before attempted on a
commercial aircraft. ...

Boeing says. The plane is being promoted as using about 20 percent
less fuel than the Boeing 767, which the Dreamliner will replace
on may routes.

Analysts say that Boeing made the right choice in building the
Dreamliner. It has racked up far more orders than the A380, which
has netted what analysts call a lackluster 149 orders and
commitments for 17 more. The analysts also question whether there
is enough growth in the super-jumbo market for Airbus ever to make
money on the plane...

Larry Dighera wrote:
Analysts say that Boeing made the right choice in building the
Dreamliner. It has racked up far more orders than the A380, which
has netted what analysts call a lackluster 149 orders and
commitments for 17 more. The analysts also question whether there
is enough growth in the super-jumbo market for Airbus ever to make
money on the plane...

Apples and oranges, of course as they are two completely different
category aircraft. Interestingly Boeing has revised its forecast of the
super-jumbo market upward. Their philosophy is still at odds (somewhat)
with Airbus' forecast, but the gap has closed a bit. The 747-8 is seen
as a less risky proposition than a clean-sheet design like the A380.

I read Airbus has revised its estimate saying its break-even figure has
gone from 250 aircraft to 400. Ouch. Their problem now is freeing up
the resources to develop the A350XWB to compete with 777, and in just a
few years the narrowbodies (A320, 737) will be redesigned. The A380
program delays have caused ripples that could affect other important
future development programs.

After all the parts arrive from around the world, workers will
assemble the planes in a hurry...

I bet that phrase didn't get vetted by the marketing department!

Jose
--
"There are 3 secrets to the perfect landing. Unfortunately, nobody knows
what they are." - (mike).
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Jose wrote:
After all the parts arrive from around the world, workers will
assemble the planes in a hurry...

I bet that phrase didn't get vetted by the marketing department!


Or the union steward..

On 1 Dec 2006 07:43:16 -0800, "Kingfish" wrote
in om:

I read Airbus has revised its estimate saying its break-even figure has
gone from 250 aircraft to 400.

That is in the face of customers canceling orders due to the recent
two year delay in shipping schedule and the increase in fuel costs.

On Fri, 01 Dec 2006 16:02:49 GMT, Jose
wrote in :

After all the parts arrive from around the world, workers will
assemble the planes in a hurry...

I bet that phrase didn't get vetted by the marketing department!

I'll bet you're right.

However, as much as I dislike seeing manufacturing moving off-shore,
it has indeed become a global economy after all, and although Boeing
is just another conniving corporate entity scheming to circumvent
domestic laws and union wages, this is the future. We have no choice
but to embrace it.

I dislike seeing manufacturing moving off-shore

It's not the offshore part. It's the "assmeble the planes in a hurry"
part that got me. Wanna fly a plane that was put together "in a hurry"?

Jose
--
"There are 3 secrets to the perfect landing. Unfortunately, nobody knows
what they are." - (mike).
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Larry Dighera wrote:

I read Airbus has revised its estimate saying its break-even figure has
gone from 250 aircraft to 400.

That is in the face of customers canceling orders due to the recent
two year delay in shipping schedule and the increase in fuel costs.

Not sure how fuel costs affect the airframer, I think Airbus' increased
costs have more to do with contract penalties for not delivering on
time and some extensive redesign work on certain A380 systems. So far
the only cancellation I've read about is FedEx dropping their 10-plane
order and buying B-777 freighters instead.

In article . com,
"Kingfish" wrote:

Not sure how fuel costs affect the airframer, I think Airbus' increased
costs have more to do with contract penalties for not delivering on
time and some extensive redesign work on certain A380 systems. So far
the only cancellation I've read about is FedEx dropping their 10-plane
order and buying B-777 freighters instead.

Airbus paid the lead customer $104 million in delay penalties this week.