As you may have read elsewhere, Boeing has had a few more problems with their 787 fleet, and having to ground the entire test fleet due to an onboard fire aboard a plane during test
The findings are out – and it’s not good news with Boeing have to develop “minor design changes” and updates to power distribution panels and system software.
Tests have been carried out in the labs, and are moving towards fixes on the ground, whilst it revises the planes to re-deploy the 787 test fleet into action. This will require FAA approval before they can take to the air again.
So yes, the 787 programme is grounded, and delayed again. Boeing state that “a revised 787 programme schedule is expected to be finalized in the next few weeks”.
Which is going to annoy ANA as they are first to fly the aircraft. However, Qatar are now reported to be annoyed, and Qatar airlines’s CEO going so far to say
“I was really taken aback by the (787) programme. I never expected a programme could be delayed so much with a company like Boeing, which has pride in its quality. They have very clearly failed,”
Ouch.
Considering the popularity of this frame, those are very harsh words indeed. Harsh words that has 60 aircraft in the balance (both in firm and options)
Can Airbus avoid a messup with the A350 frame now? I think not alas. The 787 is having a very troubled birth alas……
