Next Step Towards Type Certification
Work began Monday on the 787 Dreamliner at Boeing's Global
Services & Support site in San Antonio, Texas. Airplane #23,
the first 787 to undergo change incorporation, on Friday flew from
Everett, WA, to San Antonio on a ferry flight. During change
incorporation, airplanes that are not part of flight test are
configured to conform with the standards established as part of
type certification efforts. Refurbishment of three of the six 787
flight test airplanes also will take place in San Antonio after
completion of flight test activities.
"The 787 team is thrilled to have the expertise and enthusiasm
of the San Antonio team focused on getting these airplanes ready
for delivery to our customers," said Scott Fancher, vice president
and general manager of the 787 program.
The current plan is for six Dreamliners to complete change
incorporation and refurbishment in San Antonio. Three will complete
change incorporation and three airplanes will be refurbished after
flight test is complete. However, the plan is flexible and could
accommodate additional 787 production needs as flight test is
completed and airplanes are prepared for delivery. The work will be
performed from March 2011 through 2013.
"We continuously look for ways to leverage the strength of the
Boeing enterprise, taking advantage of the team and the skills we
have across the company," said Fancher. "San Antonio specializes in
modification work and has the capability and capacity to get the
job done. The team was a natural choice."
Some of the work done in San Antonio will include installing
electronic and mechanical equipment, completing software upgrades,
testing functional systems, and removing and reworking wiring or
equipment that needs to be updated to current configuration
requirements. Approximately 450 employees will be hired on a
temporary basis to join with 1,700 experienced workers at the site
to complete the work.
"Everyone on our team is excited to join the 787 program," said
Kevin Devine, vice president and general manager of the San Antonio
site. "This airplane is about as advanced as you can get and there
are high expectations tied to this work package. I am confident
that our team will get the job done."
Currently, there are about 1,500 employees at Boeing's San
Antonio site performing maintenance and modification work on the
following programs: KC-135 Programmed Depot Maintenance, KC-135
Global Air Traffic Management, C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment
Partnership and the C-130 Avionics Modernization program.