More Than Just A Pretty (Composite) Face
While it's true most of the hype surrounding Boeing's
forthcoming 787 Dreamliner concerns its composite fuselage
structure, the planemaker notes the airliner will feature a number
of new technologies within its carbon-fiber hull -- from shadeless
windows, to lighting systems Boeing says will ease passenger
fatigue, and could even make onboard meals more presentable in
appearance.
The Associated Press reports Boeing maintained two seemingly
opposite goals when designing the Dreamliner: low cost, and
increased passenger comfort. Some efforts met both goals: a
significant reduction in wiring, for example (from 91 miles of
wiring in a 767, to 61 miles in a 787) allows more room for larger
overhead bins, as well as thinner cabin walls that allow more elbow
room.
Less wiring also means lighter in-flight entertainment systems.
IFE systems in the first Dreamliners may carry some extraneous
weight, however, in the form of tiny keyboards... which should one
day allow passengers to conduct instant messaging conversations
while inflight.
But not yet... especially as Boeing's Connexion wireless program
went the way of the dodo last year, which in turn led to the
scrapping of a planned wireless 787 entertainment system announced in January.
Leaning more towards the
"comfort" side of the cost/benefit equation is Boeing's cabin
lighting system -- which will be able to simulate sunrise, to
better acclimate passengers on a red-eye flight. Larger cabin
windows also sport variable opacity technology, which will allow
passengers (and flight attendants) to gradually dim and brighten
outside lighting, without the use of plastic shades.
The 787 also features an air-purification system, aimed at
reducing the stench of onboard contaminants such as perfume and
hairspray. The air onboard the Dreamliner will also be more humid
than the typically bone-dry atmospheric conditions onboard current
pressurized airliners, and will be pressurized to an altitude 2,000
feet lower than the current 8,000 ft. MSL standard.
Less noticeable to passengers -- at least, Boeing hopes so --
will be the 787's vertical gust suppression software, intended to
smooth out the aircraft's response to turbulence while cruising on
autopilot. The system is part of a flight control system less than
a quarter the size of those on the current 777, Boeing's last
clean-sheet airliner.
"We've taken out the hills and turned them into bumps," said 787
system integration director Mike Sinnett.
In a similar vein, cockpit head-up displays will allow pilots to
better align the aircraft while on final approach -- which should,
in theory, lead to smoother landings. Several airlines told Boeing
more precise landings lead to cost savings, by easing wear and tear
on the plane's tires.
Engineers working on various systems onboard the Dreamliner
worked in tandem, Sinnett notes, which should lower the number of
systems integration conflicts down the line.
"It's unlike anything we've ever done before, and as a result, I
think we've hit the sweet spot in so many more areas than we would
have otherwise," Sinnett said.
But as with any new aircraft design, problems inevitably occur.
In fact, engineers have already identified approximately 750
problems, according to flight engineer Pete ban Leynseele. But
Boeing isn't panicking, as those problems cropped up in the
Integration Test Vehicle lab, an area nicknamed the "Iron Bird" --
allowing many of those problems to be solved before production of
the first 787 began.
"This is where the lab pays for itself right now," said Iron
Bird team leader Len Inderhees, "by finding the problems early
before the airplane gets a similar problem up there in the factory
or in flight test."
Issues do still remain, however -- most notably, Boeing's
admission the first Dreamliners will not meet the company's weight
targets. But those planes are test articles, and Boeing has
stressed before customer planes will be on target.
But nevermind that... you want to hear how onboard lighting can
make food more appetizing, right? On this one, Boeing cabin systems
director Sean Sullivan realizes he faces a skeptical audience.
"Trust me," he said, "your food will look great. If you do it
wrong, you can make your food look really bad."