Results 1 to 2 of 2

Thread: Dream on

  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Posts
    0
    Contribute If you enjoy reading the
    content here, click the below
    image to support MyCockpit site.
    Click Here To Contribute To Our Site

    Boeing Dream on

    We just got a look at the first production forward section of the 787 Dreamliner. And I wanted to give you a chance to see it as well.
    This photograph kind of makes you realize just how close we are to the first airplane rollout and first flight later this year. Production of this forward section is an important step, and an exciting milestone, too.
    This all-composite 787 section is 21 feet (6.4 m) in diameter, and 42 (12.8) feet long. The photo, taken at Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, Kansas, gives a good sense of the size and scale of the airplane.

    Spirit AeroSystems is a program partner on the Dreamliner program, and is not only producing the forward section in Wichita, but is designing and manufacturing the 787’s pylons – which hold the engines to the airplane. And in Tulsa, Spirit is designing and building the leading edges of the wings.
    As I’m sure you know, we’re pioneering some new manufacturing techniques to build the composite fuselage sections of the 787. On this piece, Spirit employs state-of-the-art fiber placement equipment to apply composite “plies” over the complex contours of the airplane. Then the forward section is wrapped and prepared for curing in a giant autoclave. The heat of the autoclave transforms the composite material into an extremely strong and reliable structure.
    The forward section has also successfully completed a non-destructive inspection process, using high-frequency sound waves to scan for imperfections in the composite skin. The tests confirmed the structural integrity of the section – and set the stage for delivery of the first forward sections for final assembly.
    Before you know it, forward sections will be on their way from Wichita to Everett on the Dreamlifter. Like I said, we’re getting close.


    More...

  2. #2
    500+ This must be a daytime job BHawthorne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Wichita, KS
    Posts
    507
    Contribute If you enjoy reading the
    content here, click the below
    image to support MyCockpit site.
    Click Here To Contribute To Our Site

    I toured the 787 building in October. I believe that pic shows one of the areas they were testing the ability for the machine to rotate that section 41 360 degrees the day I was there. Really impressive stuff vs the 737 production, although there seemed to be a lot of idleness in the building because everything was still being tested, implemented and they were not ramped up on production. Some of the one-off machines used to handle those sections are HUGE.

Similar Threads

  1. Twin engined cockpit dream
    By JoHubb in forum Welcome to MyCockpit New here? Introduce Yourself!
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 02-09-2010, 08:25 AM
  2. Dream Software
    By AndyT in forum Pilots Lounge - Let your Hair down
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 11-20-2008, 12:10 AM
  3. The dream of flying
    By ivar hestnes in forum Pilots Lounge - Let your Hair down
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 11-05-2008, 03:15 AM