Airliner Will Require Less Frequent Mx, Manufacturer Claims

Boeing announced some progress Monday for its 787 Dreamliner. The US Federal Aviation Administration has approved the composite-bodied airliner's scheduled maintenance program.

The scheduled maintenance program defines the maintenance tasks and intervals operators will use to maintain the 787 and is documented in the 787 Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR). The report was accepted by the Maintenance Review Board, an FAA organization composed of specialists who review and accept maintenance requirements.

This MRBR approval from the FAA is one of the many requirements needed for airplane certification.

"The MRBR approval is a result of the most comprehensive maintenance program development effort in the history of the industry," said Mike Fleming, 787 director of Services and Support. "It is supported by more than 33,000 pages of supporting analysis, as well as the participation of eight regulatory agencies, 25 airlines and 30 suppliers and partners."

Boeing has designed the 787 to be 30 percent less expensive to maintain than any comparable product. This savings is largely due to the 787 advanced design, the wide use of composite structure and the highly integrated systems architecture, which allow for fewer maintenance tasks and longer intervals between tasks.

"The 787 maintenance program is one important aspect that ensures the continued airworthiness of the 787 while reducing overall maintenance burden on the operator," said Justin Hale, 787 chief mechanic. "This program will enable significant operational efficiencies for airlines that fly the 787."

Despite its early teething problems, Boeing asserts the 787 will ultimately require maintenance less often than comparably sized jets.

With the announcement, Boeing has completed roughly 80 percent of all tasks needed to certify the new airliner... everything but those tasks that require the plane to be in the air, more or less.

FMI: www.boeing.com