Boeing 787

Posted on Monday, August 28 @ 19:25:15 BST by aircraftinfo

The Boeing 7E7 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 7E7.

Boeing 7E7 Configurations:

- Boeing 787-3 - 7E7-3 Dreamliner, optimized for shorter flights, will carry 289 passengers in two classes up to 6.500 kilometers.

- Boeing 787-8 - 7E7-8 Dreamliner will carry 217 passengers in three classes, with a range of up to 15.700 kilometers.

- Boeing 787-9 - 7E7-9 Dreamliner, a longer version of the 787-8 - 7E7-8, 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.

Boeing 787 - 7E7 Variants

The Dreamliner aircraft is being designed in three versions, the baseline version, a short-range and a stretched version.

The baseline version, the 7E7, has a maximum take-off weight of 205,400kg. The aircraft typically accommodates 200 passengers in a three-class cabin configuration. The length is 56m. The wingspan is 58.8m and the height is 17.4m. The range is 14,445km.

The 7E7-SR short-range version is the same length and height as the 7E7 but has a shorter wingspan (51.5m). The maximum take-off weight is 136,075kg and the range is reduced to 6,480km.

The stretched version, 7E7-STR, has the same wingspan and height as the standard 7E7 but the length is increased by 6m to 62m. The aircraft carries typically 250 passengers in a two-class cabin layout. The range is increased to 15,370km and the maximum take-off weight is 223,000kg.

Boeing 787 - 7E7 Design

The Boeing Dreamliner aircraft is of conventional design with low sweptback wings and two underwing pylon mounted engines. The design has replaced the Sonic Cruiser program and incorporates some of the advanced design features developed while examining the Sonic Cruiser concept. The design includes increased use of lightweight and high durability composites and advanced aluminium alloys.

The low sweptback wings have raked wingtips. Carbon fibre and epoxy composites and titanium graphite laminate will be used in the construction of the wings.

The major structural work is being shared by principal industrial partners in USA, Japan and Europe. Boeing will be responsible for about 33% of the production with the flight deck and fuselage being manufactured at Wichita, the wings and the fuselage fairings at Winnipeg, Canada, the fin at Frederickson, and the moving leading and trailing edges of the wings at Tulsa and at Boeing Australia. Japan's Fuji Heavy Industries will manufacture the centre wing box and install the wells. Kawasaki Heavy Industries is responsible for the manufacture of the mid forward section of the fuselage, the fixed section of the wings and the landing gear well. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will manufacture the wing box. Vought Aircraft Industries and Alenia Aeronautica are responsible for the manufacture of the mid section and rear section of the fuselage including the tailplane, representing a 26% share of production. Goodrich will provide the nacelles and thrust reverser.

The fuselage cross section, 574cm, is compatible with standard LD3 containers. The cargo revenue capacity will increase by 40% to 60% compared with current airliners.

Boeing 787 - 7E7 Flight Deck

Kaiser Electroprecision will provide the pilot controls, which will be similar in function to those of the 777.

Rockwell Collins has been selected to supply display, communication and situational awareness systems. Display systems will include head down and head up displays. Communication systems include advanced VHF and satellite communication radios. Situational awareness systems include terrain awareness warning systems, weather radar and traffic alert and collision avoidance systems (TCAS).

Honeywell of Phoenix, Arizona, has been selected to provide the navigation package. This will include the flight management function, inertial reference system, air data system and a multi-mode receiver global positioning system. Honeywell will also supply the Crew Information System/Maintenance System (CIS/MS) which provides information on the general health of major aircraft systems.

The 7E7 avionics will be based on open systems architecture. Smiths Aerospace UK has been selected to supply the Common Core System (CCS). This will replace traditional dedicated signal wiring with remote data concentrators. The concentrators link sensors and effectors to a distributed computing resource through a dedicated communications network. This contributes significantly to the weight reduction.

Boeing 787 - 7E7 Weights

Weight:	- Empty: Kg. - Fuel: Kg. - Max. payload: Kg.
Max. Take off weight:	201.200 Kg.
Max. Landing weight:	Kg.

Boeing 787 - 7E7 Performance

Cruise Speed:	Mach 0,85.
Max. Speed:	km/h at m.
Service ceiling:	m.
Max. ceiling:	m.
Max. Range:	15.700 km.

Boeing 787 - 7E7 Dimensions

Wing Span:	59 m.
Wing Area:	m².
Length:	56 m.
Height:	m.

Boeing 787 - 7E7 Powerplants

The aircraft is powered by high-bypass 10:1 ratio, extremely quiet engines. The fuel efficiency of the engines will contribute up to 8% of the increased efficiency of the aircraft.

Boeing has selected two engine types, the General Electric GENX and the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000, each type developing 55,000lb to 70,000lb thrust. Each of the three planned 7E7 models will use the same engines. Both engines fit to a standard engine interface allowing interchangeability. The traditional bleed air heating and de-icing systems have been eliminated in favour of electrical systems.

The General Electric GENX (GE Next Generation) engine is a derivative of the GE90 engine and uses composite fan blades, a high-pressure ration compressor and a single annular combustor where the compressed air and fuel are mixed, to give very low level of emissions. The GENX engine is scheduled to enter full engine testing in 2006.

The Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 is a new ultra high thrust variant of the Trent family and uses a three-shaft layout.

Goodrich of Charlotte NC has been chosen to provide the fuel-quantity indicating system and fuel management software.

Hamilton Sundstrand of Windsor Locks Connecticut will supply the primary power distribution system, auxiliary power unit, environmental control system, primary and remote power distribution system and the electrical power generating and start system.

Boeing 787 - 7E7 Capacity (Accommodation)

Cockpit crew:	2.
Passengers:	200 - 300.
Cargo capacity:	5 pallets + 5 LD3s.

Boeing 787 - 7E7 Pictures and Photos

Boeing has approved the formal launch of the new 787 - 7E7 Dreamliner passenger aircraft. The launch order for 50 7E7 aircraft placed by All Nippon Airways (ANA) was announced in April 2004.	The 7E7-SR short range version will be the same length and height but with a shorter wingspan. The range is reduced to 6,480km.

787 - 7E7 assembly is scheduled to start in 2006. First flight of the Dreamliner will be in 2007 with entry into service in 2008.	The 7E7 family of aircraft, in the 200 to 300-seat class, will carry passengers non-stop on routes between 6,500km and 16,000km at speeds of up to Mach 0.85.

The 787 - 7E7 will be able to fly directly to smaller airports, avoiding the need for passengers to transfer flights to regional destinations.	The design incorporates some of the advanced design features developed for the Sonic Cruiser concept, including increased use of lightweight composites and advanced aluminium alloys, making the aircraft more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Boeing has explored radical new concepts for the interior cabin configuration including "sweeping arches" and "a calming, simulated sky" to enhance passenger perception of spaciousness.	Large 787 - 7E7 assemblies will be transported to the final assembly site onboard modified 747-400s rather than by traditional shipping methods, saving time and money.

Diagram showing the construction workshare between Boeing and the 787 - 7E7 industrial partners.