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Boeing 787 Boeing
787 Dreamliner
Medium to Long-Range Jetliner

DESCRIPTION:
The 787 Dreamliner program began as a response to the enormous Airbus A380. While Airbus was developing its first "super jumbo jet," Boeing chose to focus its resources on the more lucrative midsize market by developing a replacement for the 767 and A300. Boeing first explored a revolutionary design dubbed the Sonic Cruiser hoping to attract customers with increased speed, but studies of a more conventional concept continued as well. While not as radical looking as the Sonic Cruiser, this conventional design's promise to significantly cut operating costs through the use of advanced fuel efficient technologies proved very attractive to the airline market.

Boeing has stated the 787 will be 15% to 20% more efficient and burn 17% less fuel than the 767 due to the innovative use of new technology. Perhaps the most challenging of these advances is the extensive use of lightweight composite materials that make up much of the wing and fuselage structures. While composites have been widely used in aviation since the 1980s, the 787 is the first commercial airliner to use the materials for the majority of its construction. The reduced weight of its structure coupled with aerodynamic improvements to reduce drag are said to account for about a third of the Dreamliner's fuel savings. Another third comes from improvements in engine technology while the remainder is due to advanced systems like its electrical architecture that doesn't require bleed air from the engines.

The program was officially launched in 2004 under the name 7E7, the "E" representing efficient, when All Nippon Airways of Japan placed an order for 50 of the airliners. The name was later changed to the more conventional 787 in 2005, and the type has since attracted orders faster than any other airliner in Boeing's history.

Unfortunately, its revolutionary technologies have come at the cost of significant development and production problems. The largest delays have resulted from Boeing's decision to make greater use of subcontractors in assembling the 787. Rather than building the entire aircraft at its factory near Seattle, Boeing chose to have complete subsystems built around the world and transported to Washington for final assembly. Major suppliers are located in Italy, Japan, Australia, Canada, as well as sites across the United States. Many of these subcontractors have had difficulties performing more complex subassembly tasks within Boeing's aggressive schedule. Part shortages, labor strikes, flight control software issues, and redesign efforts prompted by excess weight have also contributed to delays that have extended development by at least two years. Thanks to these problems, Boeing has been forced to pay compensation to many of its customers as well as offer steep discounts on replacement aircraft until the 787 is ready for service.

First flight had been planned for mid-2007 but did not finally occur until December 2009. Boeing must also maintain a very brisk flight test program in hope of meeting the first delivery date, currently scheduled for late 2010.

The first version to enter service will be the 787-8 base model. Boeing has also launched the lengthened 787-9 with higher passenger capacity and greater range. A high-density variant with reduced fuel capacity for shorter routes called the 787-3 is also under development, but this model will likely be delayed indefinitely due to weak demand. Boeing is planning a further stretched model called the 787-10 as well as a freighter version. Counting the three 787 variants currently in development, a record total of 851 firm orders had been placed by December 2009, even after 84 cancellations.

Last modified 02 May 2011


HISTORY:
First Flight (787-8) 15 December 2009
Service Entry (787-8) planned for late 2010 (with All Nippon Airways)
(787-9) planned for 2012 (with Air New Zealand)

CREW: two flight crew: pilot, co-pilot

PASSENGERS: (787-3) 290 in two classes, 330 in one class
(787-8) 210 in three classes, 250 in one class
(787-9) 280 in three classes

COST: (787-3) $146 to $152 million [2007$]
(787-8) $157 to $167 million [2007$]
(787-9) $189 to $200 million [2007$]

DIMENSIONS:
Length (787-3) 186.08 ft (56.72 m)
(787-8) 186.08 ft (56.72 m)
(787-9) 206.08 ft (62.81 m)
Wingspan (787-3) 169.67 ft (51.72 m)
(787-8) 197.25 ft (60.12 m)
(787-9) 208.00 ft (63.40 m)
Height (787-3) 55.50 ft (16.92 m)
(787-8) 55.50 ft (16.92 m)
(787-9) 55.67 ft (16.97 m)
Fuselage Diameter 19.40 ft (5.91 m)

CABIN:
Length (787-8) 138.75 ft (42.29 m)
(787-9) 158.75 ft (48.39 m)
Width (787-3) 18.83 ft (5.74 m)
(787-8) 18.83 ft (5.74 m)
(787-8 VIP) 17.92 ft (5.46 m)
(787-9) 18.83 ft (5.74 m)
(787-9 VIP) 17.92 ft (5.46 m)
Height 7.5 ft (2.29 m)
Main Passenger Door unknown

CARGO CAPACITY:
Baggage Volume (787-8) 4,826.0 ft³ (136.7 m³)
Cargo Volume (787-3) 4,400.0 ft³ (124.6 m³)
(787-8) 4,400.0 ft³ (124.6 m³)
(787-8 VIP) 4,826.0 ft³ (136.7 m³)
(787-9) 5,400.0 ft³ (152.9 m³)
(787-9 VIP) 6,090.0 ft³ (172.4 m³)
Container Capacity (787-3) 28 LD3 or 9 standard pallets
(787-8) 28 LD3 or 9 standard pallets
(787-9) 36 LD3 or 11 standard pallets
Freight Doors unknown

WING:
Root Airfoil Section unknown
Tip Airfoil Section unknown
Area unknown
Aspect Ratio unknown
Sweepback Angle 32.2° at quarter chord
Control Surface Areas outboard ailerons: unknown
inboard ailerons: unknown
outboard flaps: unknown
inboard flaps: unknown
spoilers: unknown

TAIL:
Tailplane Span 65.00 ft (19.81 m)
Tailplane Area unknown
Tailfin Area unknown
Control Surface Areas elevator: unknown
rudder: unknown

UNDERCARRIAGE:
Type Retractable tricycle with two main gear and single steerable nose gear
Main Gear Four wheels per unit, tire size 50 x 20.0R22/34PR
Tire Pressure (787-3) 173 psi (1,193 kPa)
(787-8) 221 psi (1,524 kPa)
(787-9) 213 psi (1,468 kPa)
Nose Gear Twin wheels per unit, tire size 40 x 16.0P16/26PR
Tire Pressure 187 psi (1,289 kPa)
Steering Angle 65°
Wheel Track 32.17 ft (9.80 m)
Wheel Base (787-3) 74.75 ft (22.78 m)
(787-8) 74.75 ft (22.78 m)
(787-9) 84.75 ft (25.83 m)

WEIGHTS & LOADINGS:
Empty (787-3) 223,100 lb (101,195 kg)
(787-8) 242,000 lb (109,770 kg)
(787-8 VIP) 261,100 lb (118,430 kg)
(787-9) 254,300 lb (115,350 kg)
(787-9 VIP) 281,800 lb (127,820 kg)
Normal Takeoff unknown
Maximum Takeoff (787-3) 364,000 lb (165,105 kg)
(787-8) 484,000 lb (219,540 kg)
(787-9) 540,000 lb (244,940 kg)
Maximum Landing (787-3) 355,000 lb (161,025 kg)
(787-8) 370,000 lb (167,825 kg)
(787-9) 421,000 lb (190,950 kg)
Fuel Capacity (787-3) 75,820 lb (34,390 kg) in 11,085 gal (41,960 L) wing tanks
(787-8) 229,330 lb (104,025 kg) in 33,530 gal (126,915 L) wing tanks
(787-9) 250,980 lb (113,840 kg) in 36,695 gal (138,900 L) wing tanks
Maximum Payload (787-8) 100,000 lb (45,360 kg)
Wing Loading unknown
Thrust/Weight Ratio unknown

PROPULSION:
Powerplant General Electric GEnx or
Rolls-Royce Trent 1000
Engine Rating (787-3) 2 x 53,000 lb (235.8 kN)
(787-8) 2 x 64,000 lb (284.7 kN)
(787-9) 2 x 70,000 lb (311.3 kN)
Engine Intakes Two nacelles on wing pylons
Fuel Type Jet A, Jet A-1

PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed
(at altitude)
585 mph (945 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,190 m), Mach 0.89
Max Level Speed
(at sea level)
unknown
Cruise Speed 560 mph (900 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,190 m), Mach 0.85
Takeoff Speed unknown
Landing Speed unknown
Takeoff Distance unknown
Landing Distance unknown
Maximum Climb Rate unknown
Service Ceiling 43,000 ft (13,105 m)
Range (787-3) 3,000 to 3,500 nmi (5,555 to 6,480 km)
(787-8) 8,000 to 8,500 nmi (14,815 to 15,740 km)
(787-8 VIP) 9,285 to 10,440 nmi (17,195 to 19,335 km)
(787-9) 8,600 to 8,800 nmi (15,925 to 16,295 km)
(787-9 VIP) 9,850 to 10,250 nmi (18,985 to 18,240 km)
g-Limits unknown

SYSTEMS:
Avionics Honeywell crew information system/management system, Smiths Aerospace common core system comprising two common computing resources cabinets, ARINC 664 deterministic ethernet/advanced communications network, Thales integrated flight displays, Rockwell Collins communications and surveillance systems, dual head up displays
Flight Controls Digital fly-by-wire
Electrical Variable-frequency electrical system powered by Hamilton Sundstrand power generators and APU
Hydraulics 5,000 psi (34,475 kPa)
Braking Goodrich or Messier Bugatti electric brakes

COMPOSITION:
  • Composites: 50% of primary structural weight including major sections of the fuselage, wings, and tail unit as well as doors and the cabin interior consist of carbon fiber reinforced plastic or other composite materials
  • Aluminum: 20% of structure consists of lightweight aluminum alloys including the wing and tail leading edges
  • Titanium: 15% of structural weight including engine components
  • Steel: 10% of structural weight including landing gear
  • Other: 5% of structural weight

  • VARIANTS:
    7E7 Original designation for the 787
    787-3 Short-range, high-density model using the same fuselage as the 787-8 but with increased passenger capacity and decreased fuel load for shorter domestic routes, also replaces the raked wingtips of the 787-8 with winglets to reduce wingspan and fit into smaller gates; all orders cancelled or converted to other models so further development may be stopped
    787-8 First production model designed to replace the 767-200ER and 767-300ER; 656 ordered by December 2009
    787-8 VIP Luxury model for the Boeing Business Jet division based on the 787-8
    787-9 Stretched model designed to replace the 767-400ER that carries more passengers than the 787-8 over longer distances by lengthening the fuselage, increasing the wingspan, and increasing fuel capacity; 195 ordered by December 2009
    787-9 VIP Luxury model for the Boeing Business Jet division based on the 787-9
    787-10X Proposed stretch model based on the 787-9 but with reduced range to carry 290 to 310 passengers and increase cargo capacity, would replace the 777-200ER and compete with the A350-900
    787F Proposed cargo freighter

    OPERATORS:
    Aeroflot
    Aeroméxico
    Air Astana
    Air Berlin
    Air Canada
    Air China
    Air Europa
    Air India
    Air New Zealand
    Air Niugini
    All Nippon Airways
    American Airlines
    Aviation Lease and Finance Company (ALAFCO)
    Arik Air
    Arkia Israel Airlines
    Avianca
    Aviation Capital Group
    AWAS
    Azerbaijan Airlines
    Biman Bangladesh Airlines
    Boeing Business Jet (BBJ)
    British Airways
    China Aviation Supplies Import and Export Group Corporation (CASGC)
    China Eastern Airlines
    China Southern Airlines
    CIT Aerospace Group
    Continental Airlines
    Dubai Aerospace Enterprise
    Ethiopian Airlines
    Etihad Airways
    Garuda Indonesia
    Grand China Airlines
    Gulf Air
    Hainan Airlines
    Hong Kong Airlines
    Icelandair
    International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC)
    Iraqi Airways
    Japan Airlines
    Jet Airways
    Kenya Airways
    Korean Air
    LAN Chile Airlines
    LCAL
    LOT Polish Airlines
    Monarch Airlines
    Northwest Airlines
    PrivatAir (BBJ)
    Qantas
    Qatar Airways
    Royal Air Maroc
    Royal Jordanian Airlines
    Shanghai Airlines
    Singapore Airlines
    Thomson Airways
    Travel Service
    United Airlines
    Uzbekistan Airways
    Vietnam Airlines
    Vietnam Aircraft Leasing Company (VALC)
    Virgin Atlantic Airways

    3-VIEW DIAGRAM:

    Boeing 787

    SOURCES:
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