First Flight Expected Next Year

Boeing -- along with Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) -- told ANN Friday that major assembly has begun on the first 787 Dreamliner airframe. FHI began to assemble the center wing section at its new factory in Handa, Japan, near Nagoya.

"When I look at this piece of structure coming together I know that we are seeing the future of our industry," said Mike Bair, vice president and general manager of the 787 program for Boeing. "We have introduced new materials, new processes, new tools and a new way of working together that is ushering in a new era in commercial aviation."

When it is completed, the center wing section will be flown from Japan to Charleston, SC, where Global Aeronautica will integrate it with other 787 structures before sending it on to Boeing's final assembly plant in Everett, WA.

"FHI has received extraordinary support from Boeing and other global partners," said Norihisa Matsuo, corporate executive vice president and president of FHI's Aerospace Company. "The start of major assembly is really the result of the effort of the entire team. We are very proud of achieving major assembly start of 787 programs as a milestone as scheduled today."

Scheduled for delivery beginning in 2008, the Dreamliner is expected to take flight for the first time in about a year. To date, 28 airlines have logged 403 orders and commitments worth more than $55 billion at current list prices since the 787 launch in April 2004 -- making the Dreamliner the most successful commercial airplane launch in history, Boeing notes.

FMI: www.boeing.com/commercial/787family/index.html