Soundbites from 787 delivery

From Scott Fancher, head of the 787 program:

* We’ve developed a set of technologies that will be the backbone of development for the next 30 years.

* This is as big a leap forward as the 707 was.

* 787-9 design is very stable over last couple of years. The weight is down. We will start producing tools next year. We will start producing components next year. (Not structural components.)

* Charleston has been designed to be funbdamentally identical to Everett.

* When we have the data, we will put Charleston and Everett under one quality control system.

* Despite huge costs, we like the investment we made in the 787.

Boeing delivers first 787 to ANA

In a packed room of international media, Boeing announced Sunday that All Nippon Airways executed the contract to accept first delivery of the 787, three and one half years late.

Boeing has a day-long schedule for the media to get briefed on the program and the handover. Ceremonies continue tomorrow and the plane leaves Tuesday for Tokyo.

ANA will take four airplanes this year and 16 next year. By the end of ANA’s fiscal 2017 in March 2013an 2017 (oops-big thumbs on a small Blackberry keyboard) it will receive all 55 on order.

ANA’s airplanes are powered by the Rolls Royce Trent 1000, designed exclusively for the 787.

This is a milestone for Boeing but challenges remain.

The Seattle Times has this report, estimating that Boeing has spent $32bn so far on the 787 program vs a planned $5.8bn.

Challenges Remain

Production ramp up will be a challenge and so will delivery rework. We’ll have further reports over the next two days.