Tag Archives: U.S. Federal Aviation Administration

Boeing to also build the 787-9 in South Carolina

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) has announced the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has added Boeing South Carolina-built 787-9 Dreamliners to the company’s production certificate, PC 700. This allows Boeing to produce and deliver 787-9s from its South Carolina facility. 787-8 production was added to Boeing’s PC 700 certificate in July 2012.

The certificate is issued once an airplane manufacturer has demonstrated to the FAA that its facilities and quality management system meet the agency’s stringent safety and reliability requirements.

The addition of Boeing South Carolina’s 787-9 production to the Boeing production certificate follows a successful FAA Manufacturing Inspection District Office audit that validated the site’s compliance with the Boeing Quality Management System.

Copyright Photo: SPA/AirlinersGallery.com. Brand new Boeing 787-9 G-VOOH (msn 37968) “Miss Chief” was delivered to Virgin Atlantic on February 4, 2015.

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Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner earns FAA and EASA certification

Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) has released this statement:

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner has been certified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for commercial service. Boeing is now in the final stages of preparing for the first 787-9 delivery to launch customer Air New Zealand.

Boeing started its flight-test program with the 787-9’s first flight in September, 2013.

To earn certification for the 787-9, Boeing undertook a comprehensive test program with five airplanes and more than 1,500 hours of flight testing, plus ground and laboratory testing. Following the rigorous and thorough certification process, the FAA and EASA each granted Boeing an Amended Type Certificate for the 787-9, certifying that the design complies with aviation regulations and is safe and reliable.

The FAA also has granted Boeing an Amended Production Certificate, validating that the Boeing production system can produce 787-9s that conform to the design. EASA accepts FAA oversight of Boeing production certificates, just as the FAA accepts EASA oversight of European manufacturers’ production certificates.

The new 787-9 Dreamliner will complement and extend the super-efficient 787 family. With the fuselage stretched by 20 feet (6 meters) over the 787-8, the 787-9 will fly more passengers and more cargo farther with the same exceptional environmental performance — 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than similarly sized airplanes. The 787-9 leverages the visionary design of the 787-8, offering passengers features such as large windows, large stow bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and a smoother ride.

Twenty-six customers around the world have ordered 413 787-9s, accounting for 40 percent of all 787 orders.

Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-9 N789EX (msn 41988) lands at Boeing Field after a test flight.

The Boeing 787 is granted extended 330 minutes ETOPS operations by the FAA

Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) has released this statement about extended ETOPS for the 787:

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved additional extended operations (ETOPS) for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The move will allow 787s to be operated up to 330 minutes from a landing field and signals continued confidence in the airplane’s technical capabilities.

Dreamliners have been allowed to operate up to 180 minutes away from a landing field since they were introduced into service in 2011. Granting of the expanded operational permission will allow airlines to introduce additional routes after they meet the proof of capabilities requirements and receive approval from their own regulatory agencies for such operations.

ETOPS operations will make the 787 even more efficient in operations as they enable more direct flight paths, which can save thousands of pounds of fuel and reduce carbon emissions.

More than 1,030 787s have been ordered by 60 customers to date. Boeing has delivered 146 Dreamliners to 19 customers.

Copyright Photo: Steve Bailey/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 VT-ANC (msn 36274) in Air India colors lands at Boeing’s facility at Paine Field near Everett, Washington. VT-ANC is one of the earlier models and remains undelivered.

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The FAA and Boeing complete their joint review of the 787’s critical systems

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) have completed a comprehensive review of the 787’s critical systems. The joint review, initiated in January 2013, included an examination of the processes for the design, certification and production of the 787-8. The review’s findings validate the integrity of the airplane’s design and confirm the strength of the processes used to identify and correct issues that emerged before and after the airplane’s certification.

The review concludes that the 787 meets the intended high level of safety expected by the FAA and Boeing. The report includes recommendations aimed at further strengthening the FAA and Boeing’s processes.

“We welcomed the opportunity presented by this joint review of the 787 and its in-service performance,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. “The findings validate our confidence in both the design of the airplane and the disciplined process used to identify and correct in-service issues as they arise. I am grateful for the hard work of the joint review team and for its recommendations, which will allow us to further improve our processes as we move forward.”

The review team outlined four recommended improvements for Boeing. Three of the recommendations focus on improving the flow of information, standards and expectations between the company and its suppliers. Boeing has already taken significant steps to implement these recommendations.

The fourth recommendation encourages Boeing to continue implementing and maturing the gated processes for development programs.

“Gated process” refers to the disciplined criteria followed as a new airplane model is developed. This ensures a sufficient level of maturity is gained before a program proceeds to key milestones such as design completion, production start and entry into service.

Boeing has made a range of improvements to its airplane development processes since the start of the 787 program. These efforts included a restructuring last year to bring all commercial airplane development programs under one umbrella organization.

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