Posted on 04/19/2013 1:04:48 PM PDT by jazusamo
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Friday that it has formally approved Boeings design for modifications to the 787 Dreamliner battery system, clearing the way to end the planes three-month grounding.
FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said the agency hasnt changed the Dreamliners ETOPS (extended operations) certification, which means the 787 will have continued approval to fly up to three hours away from the nearest airport.
Michael Huerta, head of the FAA, told a Senate hearing Tuesday that ETOPS approval was under review.
The decision not to reduce the three-hour limit is crucial to the jets use for flying long routes over the ocean or the poles, a key feature for its airline customers.
The FAA said it will issue instructions to airlines next week for making changes to the aircraft and will publish in the Federal Register the final directive that will allow the 787 to return to service with the battery system modifications.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.com ...
You first.
I don’t fly any longer.
Boeing Ping!
Who is going to fly these torches, drone pilots?
I’ll go if it’s free.
“If it’s Boeing, the batteries are blowing”
Without ETOPS why fly a 787???
I’ll wait 3 or 4 years to let them prove themselves...which is too bad because it’s a beautiful plane and can’t wait to get on one.
I read it that they didn’t reduce the ETOPS rating even though Huerta told the Senate hearing on Tuesday it was under review, it really isn’t written very clearly.
I believe that’s a wise move, I doubt I’d feel comfortable flying one right away.
They were flying a couple over at Moses Lake WA when I was over there yesterday. The most amazing thing on those airplanes is the shape of the wing. It is amazing. Looks like a bird wing.
What part of this was "unprecidented"? Groundings of fleet aircraft are common until system fixes are implemented. It may be new for a Boeing product but it is not clear in the context of the statement. The MSM is just in love with the word
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