Sun, May 13, 2007
Components Dreamlifter-ed In For Assembly
Aero-News has learned three large composite fuselage sections
arrived in Everett, WA Friday for the upcoming Boeing 787
Dreamliner.
The all-composite forward section -- known as section 41, and
shown above wrapped in white -- is manufactured by Spirit
AeroSystems at its facility in Wichita, KS. The complex structure
is 21 feet in diameter and 42 feet long. Its landing gear is
installed.
Sections 47 and 48, wrapped in black, are the two aft composite
sections of fuselage for the Dreamliner. As Aero-News reported earlier this
week, they were manufactured and joined by Vought
Aircraft Industries at its facility in Charleston, SC. Section 47
is 23 feet long and 19 feet in diameter while section 48 measures
15 feet long and 14 feet in diameter.
The sections were delivered to Boeing early Friday morning via
the Dreamlifter, a specially modified 747-400 used to transport 787
major assemblies. The aircraft arrived at 6:39 am local time. The
major assemblies were immediately unloaded and delivered to the 787
final assembly factory.
"Today's delivery represents more than 40 percent of the 787's
fuselage structure," said Scott Strode, 787 vice president of
Airplane Definition and Production. "We now have all the major
structure for the rear of the airplane, and its distinctive nose.
The Dreamliner is beginning to take shape."
These are the second and third pieces of major structure
delivered by the Dreamlifter in recent weeks. The horizontal
stabilizer arrived on April 25.
The 787 Dreamliner is the fastest-selling airplane in aviation
history, with firm orders for 567 airplanes from 44 airlines.
Boeing is shooting for an official rollout of the first 787
prototype on July 8, 2007.
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