Boeing celebrated a historic occasion on Friday 26 August when the 787 Dreamliner was officially certified fit to fly.
In a ceremony at Boeing’s assembly plant in Everett, Washington state, officials from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) presented certificates to verify that the 787 has been tested and found to be in compliance with all US and European regulations.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh said: "Certification is a milestone that validates what we have promised the world since we started talking about this airplane. This airplane embodies the hopes and dreams of everyone fortunate enough to work on it. Their dreams are now coming true."
With over 800 orders already on the books, Boeing is now cleared to begin delivery, the first aircraft being scheduled for delivery to Japan’s All Nippon Airways on 26 September.
The Dreamliner promises to raise the bar for fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, with an airframe made largely from light-weight carbon composites that will help reduce fuel costs for airlines. The use of composites also allows a more comfortable air pressure in the cabin and bigger windows.
Boeing expects to produce ten 787s a month by the end of 2013. The airliner is nearly three years behind schedule, of course, and several billion dollars over budget, after a number of delays caused by kinks in the supply chain and industrial unrest, but that’s not so unusual in this highly complex and safety dominated industry.
It would be a harsh commentator who would deny Boeing its moment of triumph. I look forward to my first flight on the Dreamliner.
