Boeing Begins Assembling 3rd KC-46A Tanker Aircraft

By BA Staff

Boeing is assembling a third KC-46A test aircraft for the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation aerial refueling tanker program at the company’s Everett factory, keeping the program on schedule to complete production of four test aircraft by the third quarter of 2014.

Maureen Dougherty, Boeing vice president and KC-46 Tanker program manager said:

“In addition to the three KC-46A tankers now in production, our System Integration Labs are operational and we’re assembling a second boom. We remain on track to deliver the initial 18 KC-46A tankers by 2017.”

The KC-46A is based on the Boeing 767 commercial jetliner, a proven airframe in service as an airliner, freighter and tanker. Boeing has delivered more than 1,050 767s worldwide.

 Scott Campbell, vice president and general manager of the 767 program said:

"Our teams are maintaining their focus on quality and productivity as we move the first tankers through production."

The first test aircraft will roll out early next year. The first test flight of a fully provisioned KC-46A tanker is projected for early 2015, and the first delivery of a production aircraft to the Air Force is planned for early 2016. Boeing expects to build 179 tankers by 2027 if all options under the contract are exercised.

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Jetstar receives Australia's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner

by BA Staff

Boeing (NYSE: BA) delivered to Jetstar Airways of Australia the carrier's first 787 today, which is also the first Dreamliner for the nation of Australia.

Jetstar Australia Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner VH-VKA

Jetstar, is the Qantas Group's low-cost brand. Like every other airline which has taken delivery of this new type of aircraft, Jetstar too will introduce the 787 Dreamliner first on domestic routes, to ensure its pilots achieve the required number of landings, its cabin and ground crews get familiar with the aircraft, and then move the Dreamliners to its international network. The airline has a total of 14 787 Dreamliners on order and expects to fly an all-787 long-haul fleet by 2015.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said

"Today is a historic milestone for the Qantas Group and Jetstar as we welcome the most advanced passenger aircraft ever constructed to the fleet," "In just 10 short years, Jetstar has grown to be the largest low fares carrier in the Asia Pacific, carrying more than 100 million passengers. The 787 will set up the airline for another decade of growth."

The aircraft departed Monday morning local time from Boeing's Everett, Washington state delivery centre for Melbourne, Australia where it will be greeted by airline employees and special guests.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner said "

We're proud to deliver the revolutionary 787 Dreamliner to our partners at Jetstar," "The 787s unmatched fuel efficiency will give Jetstar an advantage in the marketplace and its passengers will travel with the world's most advanced in-flight experience."

"Jetstar customers will have the chance to fly in a larger and more spacious cabin, enjoy gate to gate in-flight entertainment and arrive at their destination more refreshed thanks to a lower cabin altitude to reduce the impact of jet lag," said Jetstar Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka. "The entire Jetstar team is very excited to have the 787 take to Australia skies."

Boeing Aerostructures Australia manufactures the movable trailing edge on the wing of every Dreamliner.

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PHOTOS: Boeing rolls out the first 787-9 Dreamliner

Image Credit: Boeing

Boeing has completed the first 787-9 Dreamliner and rolled it out of the factory today to the flight line in preparation of the first flight. Find more details below.

24th August 2013

EVERETT, Wash., Aug. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has completed the first 787-9 Dreamliner. The second member of the super-efficient 787 family rolled out of the Everett, Wash., factory today to the flight line, where teams are preparing it to fly later this summer.

At 20 feet (6 m) longer than the 787-8, the 787-9 will extend the 787 family in both capacity and range, carrying 40 more passengers an additional 300 nautical miles (555 km). The 787-9 leverages the visionary design of the 787-8 such as its exceptional environmental performance — 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than similarly sized airplanes — and passenger-pleasing features.

With the second and third airplanes in final assembly, Boeing and the 787-9 are on track. First delivery to launch customer Air New Zealand is set for mid-2014.

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Video highlights of Airbus A350 AWB maiden flight vs. Boeing 787 first flight

In case you missed the first flight of Airbus' newest aircraft the A350 XWB on June 14th, below are the video highlights.



Compare with the first flight video highlights of the Boeing 787 3.5 years earlier, on December 15, 2009. Both flights picture perfect. The US airframer was gallant in congratulating its main competitor for its achievement.

We congratulate @Airbus on today’s first flight achievement.

— Boeing Airplanes (@BoeingAirplanes) June 14, 2013

Have a great week ahead.

Videos courtesy Airbus S.A.S. and Boeing

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Boeing commences production of the first larger Dreamliner 787-9

Boeing has commenced final assembly of the first 787-9 Dreamliner, the newest variant of the new generation largely composite aircraft.

The 787-9 is the longer version of the existing 787-8 with its fuselage stretched by 20 feet increasing the aircraft length to 206 feet. The 787-9 will be able to carry 40 more passengers an additional 300 nautical miles (555 kilometers).

The first flight of the 787-9 is scheduled for the second half of 2013, and first delivery is expected in early 2014, to launch customer Air New Zealand. About 40% of all Dreamliner orders, 355 aircraft, are for the -9 variant from 20 airline customers. However, Air India is not one of them.

Boeing will build the first three 787-9s on its Temporary Surge Line in Everett to allow for smoother integration of the 787-9 into the production system while continuing to ramp up production across the 787 program.

In the photo above, courtesy Boeing, the vertical stabilizer on the first 787-9 reflects the new Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) livery, last modified for the 737 MAX.

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Boeing opens new delivery centre at Everett factory for wide-bodies

Boeing has opened its new expanded Everett Delivery Center (EDC), from which, deliveries of the 747-8, 767, 777 and 787 will be effected.

The 180,000 sq. ft. facility triples the amount of office, conference and delivery operations space as the old EDC and is designed to increase operational efficiencies.

The building features three floors dedicated to customers and the delivery experience. Amenities include a customer lounge, a Tully's cafe, over 20 conference rooms, four contract signing rooms and 35 offices to support resident customers and on-site delivery teams. The building's highlight, a customer event area, offers sweeping views the Olympic Mountains beyond the neighbouring flight-line and Paine Field.

Seattle-based DLR Group created the "Embrace the Plane" design which features a unique, curved architecture. The design allows airplanes to pull up to the building and connect by custom boarding bridges, enhancing ease of customer travel. Construction led by Skanska began in March 2012.

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