Posted on 16 December, 2009 by Mathew
The Boeing Dreamliner was launched for the first test flight yesterday.
The Boeing 787 is around the same size as 767-300. However the 787 is planned to be 20% more fuel-efficient than the 767. The efficiency comes equally from improvements in the engines, aerodynamics and reduced weight by use of composite materials, and the use of improved systems.
20% improvement in efficiency should translate into a 15% saving in operational efficiency.
Each plane can interchangeably use either the General Electric GEnx or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000, due to the design of a common interface. The Rolls-Royce engine was used for the test-flight.
Filed under: America, Business, CO2 emissions, Delay, design, innovation, materials science, Planes, Pollution | Leave a Comment »
Posted on 28 May, 2007 by Mathew
I knew the Airbus delays were caused by problems with the wiring of the aeroplane. But I was surprised by this statement in a BBC story.
Problems with the complex wiring required to allow different airlines to specify their own entertainment options and seating layout have meant the aircraft is being delivered about two years late.
Should the wiring of the entertainment system really be able to delay the whole plane? I can’t imagine it needs any hanger facility and therefore shouldn’t delay the manufacture of more planes (apart from CASH flow).
Couldn’t they have used WIFI? Can’t seat wiring be done Ad-hoc?
Filed under: Airbus, Delay, Planes, Project Management | 5 Comments »