Monday, January 23, 2012

Inside Boeing's 787 Dreamliner during a stop in Rockford



ROCKFORD (WREX) -  While the 787 is in Rockford you can see it through RFD's fence. But it's not open for tours. So we take you inside with our camera. From front to back, the plane is revolutionary.

"It's a great airplane for people and the people so far that have flown on it just really love it," says Boeing VP and Chief Project Engineer for the 787 Mike Sinnett.

But it's more than just a project to him. Something like this consumes your life. He's been on it more than half of his 21 years at Boeing. And he's flown in the Dreamliner anywhere from 40 to 50 times.

Sinnett says, "Working with the airlines we developed in parallel the sonic cruiser configuration and a conventionally configured airplane. And at the end of the day the airlines really voted that they wanted the efficiency, and not the speed."

Passengers will see that speed anyway. The plane burns about 20% of the fuel current jets do. Which means fewer stops. We get to where we want to go faster. In fact the plane just set an around the world record. And while passengers are along for the ride, the 787's designed to make them more comfortable.

"Bigger windows, Better lighting, smooth ride, all make for a better flying experience," Sinnett says.

Because the plane isn't made of aluminum like other airliners, engineers can increase the humidity and pressure inside the cabin which makes a big difference on long flights.

"It's really a pleasure to fly," says Captain Mike Bryan, 787 Project Pilot.

Like Sinnett, Captain Bryan has spent a lot of time with the 787 - 6 years - although up front on the flight deck. He's got experience flying fighters in the navy; a big difference from a heavy jet like this.

"When you get down to just flying the column and looking out it's a very nimble, accurate airplane," Bryan says. "And when you come in to land, combining the head up display with its velocity vector you can really just place it right where you want to put it."

Captain Bryan adds airline pilots who've taken a tour love the 787 and are anxious to fly it. So are some passengers.

"We'll get the plane finished up and delivered and you'll be flying one of these in the back before you know it," Bryan says.

Your chance to do that comes soon. Boeing's delivered 5 Dreamliners so far to All Nippon Airways in Japan. United-Continental will be the first American company to fly the Dreamliner.

No comments:

Post a Comment