Planemaker Cites Regulatory, Performance and Weight Issues

Close on the heels of rumors earlier this week Boeing might experience production delays for its 787 Dreamliner, the company confirmed media reports it's doing away with a planned wireless entertainment system for the upcoming airliner.

Boeing says several problems led to its decision. Boeing's Mike Sinnett, director of 787 systems, told the Seattle Post Intelligencer it became clear in late December the risks would be too great to justify going ahead with it. "A number of key indicators started to go bad," he said.

One was a failure to acquire regulatory approval from some countries to use certain frequencies. Without permission, the system would have to be shut down when overflying those countries.

Boeing also says it found the system's broadband capacity might not provide a large enough "pipeline" to support high-definition video, "And that's where the industry is going," said Sinnett.

The company has also reported weight problems with the 787. The system would have required several internally mounted antennae and wireless access points. Eliminating those in favor of a hard-wired system will save 200 pounds according to Boeing.

But, that means the company will have to run wiring not accounted for in the original construction plan. Boeing acknowledges fuselages coming from overseas contractors won't have the entertainment system wiring installed, thus necessitating the work be accomplished in Washington during final assembly.

Still, the company claims a wired entertainment system will be easier to install. It says this setback will not delay its planned first delivery to launch customer All Nippon Airways of Japan in May of next year.

With a scheduled first flight only eight months away, the hiccup does nothing to soothe a jittery Wall Street. Despite strong denials from Boeing, its stock took a $3 per share hit on those production delay rumors -- everyone seems to be looking for the company to mimic Airbus' expensive failure with its A380.

After all, Airbus claims it was 300 miles of wiring related to the A380's inflight entertainment systems which put it two years behind schedule.

FMI: www.boeing.com