The 787 Dreamliner’s Innovation, Promise, and Troubles

Following several problems including a battery fire and a fuel leak, aviation agencies in Europe, the United States, and India have grounded all Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. (Airlines in Japan have voluntarily grounded the planes.) The innovative aircraft was the first to use a significant amount of carbon fiber composites in the wings and fueselage, reducing its weight and boosting its fuel efficiency.

Photo: By Spaceaero2 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

View the story "Boeing 787 Troubled Past" on StorifyBoeing 787 Troubled PastFollowing several problems including a battery fire and a fuel leak, aviation agencies in Europe, the United States, and India have grounded all Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. (Airlines in Japan have voluntarily grounded the planes.) Storified by IEEE Spectrum· Thu, Jan 17 2013 12:47:01Back in 2006, a year before we were told to expect takeoff, we named the 787 one of our annual "Winners."
Winner: Carbon Takeoff - IEEE SpectrumOn Boeing's sprawling compound in Everett, outside of Seattle, are two identical four-story white buildings with ample blue-tinted window...The plane had its official unveiling in July 2007, but no takeoff.
A Dream Plane Is a Technology Winner - IEEE SpectrumIt could be a pleasure to fly in and a boon to the environment. On Sunday, Boeing unveiled the new 787 Dreamliner , a commercial aviation...Initial delays were (partly) caused by software development problems:

"How hard do you think the software folks were praying that those fasteners wouldn't be available before their tests were? So even though the software is late (and over-budget?), it doesn't look as bad as if software development were alone the hold-up to the Dreamliner's in-service date."

Boeing Dreamliner: Game of Software versus Systems Chicken - IEEE SpectrumBoeing finally admitted yesterday that it was delaying the introduction of the 787 Dreamliner from May 2008 to the end of 2008. Just a fe...The 787's increased reliance on software raised additional regulatory concerns.FAA to Boeing: Please Show that 787 Dreamliner Can't be Hacked - IEEE SpectrumIn a story that appeared last week in Flight International and then got legs via Wired , the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) is g...In early 2008, Boeing had to further delay the project because they were having trouble sourcing parts.Boeing Delays 787 Dreamliner Again - IEEE SpectrumJust a month after delaying the first-flight of the 787 Dreamliner and promising that things were on track, Boeing once again delayed fir...Silver-lining to Boeing 787 Schedule Slip - IEEE Spectrum" 'We have taken advantage of the delays to make sure our system level maturity is coming along at a rate that will avoid problems as we ...Boeing 787 Dreamliner - More Delays in the Works? - IEEE SpectrumIn a Chicago Tribune story this morning, Boeing's Randy Tinseth, vice president of marketing for commercial airplanes, was quoted as sayi...Boeing To Slip 787 Dreamliner Again? - IEEE SpectrumLast week, a Goldman Sachs analyst warned in a research report is likely to slip another three to even six months due to continued diffic...Throughout the development of the 787, Airbus had their own problems with the competing 380. Boeing was also dealing with labor issues:

"The only possible monkey wrench is that Boeing's two largest unions, the International Association of Machinists' Seattle-based District 751 and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace are threatening to strike in September and December respectively. According to one report, the unions see that they have leverage over Boeing given the 787 delays, as well as the major future revenue the 787 promises."

More Airbus 380 Troubles? - IEEE SpectrumAirbus is preparing its customers about a further delay to the Airbus 380 the London Times reports . The Times reports that Airbus is sti...One of the last delays were certification problems with the brake software.Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Brake Software Issue - IEEE SpectrumReuters is quoting Boeingâ''s 787 Dreamliner general manager Pat Shanahan as saying that Boeing is still on course for making its first d...Boeing 787 Dreamliner Software Brake Issue Solved - IEEE SpectrumIn July, Boeingâ''s 787 Dreamliner general manager Pat Shanahan said that there were unexpected problems in getting the software in the 7...After two years of delays, the Dreamliner finally flew in December 2009.

"Having more hands in the drawing board had its advantages but it surely created problems as well."

Boeing's Plastic Plane Takes Off - IEEE SpectrumBack in 2006, I wrote: "Sometime next year, the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner will rise into the skies above Seattle. The takeoff will prob...Until recent problems began to surface, the 787 was largely considered a success.Boeing Lets Executive Go-From a Height - IEEE SpectrumJim Albaugh, credited with overcoming delays in Boeing's 787 Dreamliner program, has just left the company, according to a report in the ...