FAA launches 787 system review

The Federal Aviation Administration today launched a review of the Boeing 787′s electrical system.

We start our coverage with a running synopsis of the press conference at 9:30am ET. Presenting are

Michael Huerta, director of the FAA (MH);

Ray LaHood, US Transportation Secretary (RLH); and

Ray Conner, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes (RC).

RLH:

• #1 priority is protecting the safety of the traveling public.
• We go the extra mile when it comes to safety.
• Today we are conducting a comprehensive review of the design and production of the 787, covering critical systems of the aircraft, including design, production and assembly.
• Will look for the root causes of the recent issues be sure it doesn’t happen again.
• FAA spent 200,000 hrs in advance of certifying aircraft.

Odds and Ends: 737 MAX development cost; another range boost for A330

737 MAX: We did this story last week on the development cost of the Boeing 737 MAX.

A330: Airbus is going to boost the range of the A330 to make it more closely match that of the Boeing 777 and 787, according to this story.

Fill ‘er up: Here’s a scary story about a goof in aerial refueling of a Boeing 707-based JSTARS.