Posted on 08/21/2006 11:19:34 AM PDT by skeptoid
Boeing [NYSE: BA] has rolled the first 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter (LCF) out of the hangar at Taipei's Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport. The enormous airplane is the first of three specially modified jets that will be used to transport major assemblies for the all-new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
"This is one of the most unusual modifications Boeing has ever done," said Scott Strode, 787 vice president of Airplane Development and Production. "We've relied on the world's best talent to design and build the LCF and we can all be proud today to see it standing on the tarmac."
Ground testing is under way to prepare the LCF for its first flight. After initial flight testing in Taipei, the LCF will fly to Seattle to complete the flight test program. First flight and the ferry flight to Seattle are expected to occur by the end of August.
The modifications have been performed by Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp. (EGAT), a joint venture of EVA Air and General Electric and a part of Taiwan's Evergreen Group. The second airplane continues to be modified and will be completed this fall. The third airplane will begin modification next year. The first two LCFs enter service in 2007 to support the final assembly of the first Dreamliners.
787 Rudders (made out of composites) and fairings (also composites) to be made in China
And this fabrication outsourcing may not stop there...as the article alludes to, the Chinese contribution to 737 and 747 production is increasing...just as it may also for the 787, if they prove themselves on the existing tail components, such as the rudder.
I've heard that Evergreen International Aviation, Inc. is an Oregon-based aviation company with longstanding ties to the CIA.
I've heard that, too.
"This is one of the most unusual modifications Boeing has ever done," said Scott Strode, 787 vice president of Airplane Development and Production. "We've relied on the world's best talent to design and build the LCF and we can all be proud today to see it standing on the tarmac."
What does that say about the Seattle-based engineers?
They're just fine.
Check out the new 787 video, with a report narrated by Tina Wood:
Agreed. Its a troubling claim. And its not all about money. Its about fabrication capability, of making sure an aeronautical production infrastructure doesn't wither away.
Boeing's "Integration" as a strategy is a last gasp to keep the COMPANY in business, but for the COUNTRY, it may presage keeping only some minimal capability.
Guppy wanna-be?
Paul, I usually respect your views on the aerospace business, but this statement couldn't be further from reality. Going from a parts manufacturer to a large scale system integrator is NOT a last gasp but rather a very successful strategy for many reasons. Large scale integration is how Airbus became so successful (however mismanagement is why it is failing). IMHO
Let's take a poll in the industry at the engineering level. I think you would find overwhelming disagreement...not with my view but yours.
Going from a parts manufacturer to a large scale system integrator is NOT a last gasp but rather a very successful strategy for many reasons.
Sucessful for the company. But not the COUNTRY. You keep missing the infrastructural point.
Large scale integration is how Airbus became so successful (however mismanagement is why it is failing).
No. It was their national subsidies...right up front as phony loans. Never repaid, coincidentally. As for their practicing integration...it was a political necessity, to farm the work out throughout their European pork-barrel pals. And in a sense, it is largely for this same reason that Boeing is doing the same outsourcing. To garner sales from countries that really don't practice free trade...but nationally-managed trade...and will grant the favor of plane orders, for a piece of the business. A slippery slope indeed.
Be honest honey, does this modification make me look fat?
Be honest honey does this modification make me look fat?
Works better with the correct tags.
I understand your concern. However, this is yesterday's argument against outsourcing. Engineers need to adapt to the global economy.
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