The Dream-liner Now A Reality
An airplane made of plastic composite is going to take its first commercial flight on October 26.
Online, October 1, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The long wait now seems to be coming to an end. Boeing is now a commercial reality; with the lightweight Dream liner made of plastic composites was delivered to the Japanese customer for the first time.
The aircraft with its carbon fibers and a superior design will provide 20% savings on fuel, to the recession struggling airlines. The aircraft also boasts of a promise for a comfortable ride and large windows that can be dimmed.
The first aircraft of this kind costs $200 million and the Japanese All Nippon Airways is the proud owner of the first in the series; though the delivery was supposed to be made three years back. The Vice President and the General Manager at 787 program says that "it took a lot of hard work to get to this day." The day however was celebrated at the plane's Seattle Production Plant.
The beautifully designed aircraft is supposed to run commercially from October 26, and there are additional orders for 821 Dream Liners, a close competent to the future Airbus A350, scheduled to hit skies in 2013.
The latest aircraft is supposed to be replacing the all metal Boeing 767 and provide 20 percent efficiency in fuel consumption. Boeing however had plans to launch a "Sonic Cruiser" but abandoned the plans for the same, as most airlines were seeking value efficiency over speed.
The next generations of jets are now going to replace the aluminum with composite based plastic. Boeing apprehends this innovation to become a standard in some time. Mike Sinett, the program's Chief Engineer said that "The technology will only get more efficient and lighter." Francher further added that "For aviation we believe this is as important as the 707 was with the introduction of the jet age." On apprehensions on the use of plastic he further said "Plastic is what you see on car dashboards. This is not Plastic."