Dreamliner Nears Production

"Larry Dighera" wrote

In a nod to the globalized economy, Boeing is taking a novel step
for the company and allowing outside contractors -- many of them
overseas -- to design and build 70 percent of the Dreamliner. The
wings will come from Japan. Huge parts of the aircraft's body will
arrive from Italy. Britain will deliver engines, and China will
contribute rudders. France is producing the landing gear...

It is fitting, that France is building the landing gear. Seems like their
latest project can't quite get off the ground....
;-)
--
Jim in NC

Airbus sank themselves, the market for planes of that superjumbo size
was small to begin with (they were saying something like 800 aircraft
over a 20 year period). Used 743s and 744s out there are capable of
filling most of the market for large aircraft (they will "trickle down"
to "smaller airlines", like Kalitta Air or regional operaters, notably
throughout SE Asia that will have a need for aircraft of that size in
teh future), the A380 was targeted exclusivley at large airlines that
could afford that initial $300M investment, because Boeing came along
with the 772LR, 748, 787 and 777F they are able to offer (albeit
smaller) four aircraft that can be tailored to a particular airlines
desires, all of which fly on equal or superior technology to the Airbus
and all of which come from a company that has consistently delivered on
time, one of the major things killing Airbus right now.

Also if you look at the A350, it's essentially a 777 with GEnx engines,
except it's coming in a mere 18 years after the 777 did)

Then if you look at the other reality that Boeing right now (with the
787) is bringing in the next generation of commercial aircraft, while
the A380 is technically a very advanced part of the last generation,
that is Bleed-air systems, the 787 is all electric, that is the "wave
of the future", expect to see Bleed-air on the A350, expect to see all
electric on the Y1 and Y3 projects from Boeing.

Also... the claim is that the A380 can hold 800 passengers in all
economy layout, but all orders so far call for 550 capacities or lower
(I believe), there are several 77x's out there (one for a Japanese
carrier) that fly with 550 passengers as well, but in all economy
layout.

So, I guess the simplest way of saying it (now that I've wasted a whole
page) is that with the A380 Airbus put all their eggs in one basket,
Boeing released 3 reworked/re-engineered designs and one new one, along
with development on 2 more expected within the decade, they diversified
and split Airbus's potential market base. Furthermore the A380 was
supposed to be in service right now with Emirates and Singapore, but
now it looks like the 787 might barely beat the A380 to service (mind
you they haven't even built a single 787 yet).
Morgans wrote:
"Larry Dighera" wrote

In a nod to the globalized economy, Boeing is taking a novel step
for the company and allowing outside contractors -- many of them
overseas -- to design and build 70 percent of the Dreamliner. The
wings will come from Japan. Huge parts of the aircraft's body will
arrive from Italy. Britain will deliver engines, and China will
contribute rudders. France is producing the landing gear...

It is fitting, that France is building the landing gear. Seems like their
latest project can't quite get off the ground....
;-)
--
Jim in NC

wrote:
Also if you look at the A350, it's essentially a 777 with GEnx engines,
except it's coming in a mere 18 years after the 777 did)

Ha! Don't tell Airbus that smirk


So, I guess the simplest way of saying it (now that I've wasted a whole
page) is that with the A380 Airbus put all their eggs in one basket,
Boeing released 3 reworked/re-engineered designs and one new one, along
with development on 2 more expected within the decade, they diversified
and split Airbus's potential market base.

Airbus sees the market differently than Boeing. They did definitely tie
up huge resources on the A380 program which will affect the A350XWB and
next-gen A320 redesign. They can't afford to lose out on the narrowbody
market. 747-8 is seen as being less risky than a clean sheet design.

Furthermore the A380 was supposed to be in service right now with Emirates and Singapore, but now it looks like the 787 might barely beat the A380 to service (mind
you they haven't even built a single 787 yet).

Last I read, Singapore Airlines is schedule to get an A380 (one) in 4Q
2007 with 25 or so more to be delivered in '08.

Last I read, Singapore Airlines is schedule to get an A380 (one) in 4Q
2007 with 25 or so more to be delivered in '08.

Shoot... when I read about the A380 a year ago Singapore Airlines was
supposed to have one 2 months ago... but here we are, I'm sensing
another delay in the "force".

"Kingfish" wrote in message
oups.com...

Last I read, Singapore Airlines is schedule to get an A380 (one) in 4Q
2007 with 25 or so more to be delivered in '08.


What you want to bet that they don't get it in '07?

In article ,
"Gig 601XL Builder" wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net wrote:

Last I read, Singapore Airlines is schedule to get an A380 (one) in 4Q
2007 with 25 or so more to be delivered in '08.

What you want to bet that they don't get it in '07?

what odds will you give?

--
Bob Noel
Looking for a sig the
lawyers will hate

Gig 601XL Builder wrote:
"Kingfish" wrote in message
oups.com...

Last I read, Singapore Airlines is schedule to get an A380 (one) in 4Q
2007 with 25 or so more to be delivered in '08.


What you want to bet that they don't get it in '07?

I figger they'll get it done in time. Of course if it's late again
it'll probably be free. Reference John Smith's post about Airbus paying
$104M in penalties to the 380's first customer (SIA) I can't imagine
what the penalties would be for missing the 4Q '07 deadline.

Kingfish wrote:


Apples and oranges, of course as they are two completely different
category aircraft.

Isn't that the whole point? Airbus made apples and the customers wanted
oranges.


--
Chris W
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"Bob Noel" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Gig 601XL Builder" wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net wrote:

Last I read, Singapore Airlines is schedule to get an A380 (one) in 4Q
2007 with 25 or so more to be delivered in '08.

What you want to bet that they don't get it in '07?

what odds will you give?



4:1 against.

Chris W wrote:

Apples and oranges, of course as they are two completely different
category aircraft.

Isn't that the whole point? Airbus made apples and the customers wanted
oranges.

I don't think that's quite accurate, it's not as if *no* airline bought
A380s; that aircraft just seems better suited for high density routes
in Asia. Boeing's sales success with 787 means (to me) their point 2
point strategy works better for more airlines than the Uberjet. When
the U.S. airlines start replacing their fleets, my guess is many will
go with 787. The A350 just got the go ahead for development/production
& hopefully that program will have better luck sticking with its
schedule. Then there's the A320 redesign for 2012-2013 - Airbus can't
afford to flub that one as the narrowbodies are the biggest selling
segment in transports.