Boeing 787 Dreamliner Debut

After six years of development involving around 70 companies Boeing has finally premiered its 787 Dreamliner jet.

The test flighthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight of the jumbo airplane is expected in late August or September and a total of 6 planes will be included in the flight test program, which will conclude in May with the certification of the airplane followed shortly by the first delivery of a 787 to All Nippon Airways (ANA).

The scale of the 787 Dreamliner Jumbo Jet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_787 project is so huge that it required a complete redesign of an existing plane in order to freight the parts in from suppliers and enable its advanced construction technique to be implemented.

The event also saw over 30,000 people participate via two-way satellite from Japan, Italy and locations in theUnited States. Overall, according to Boeing, the 787 Premiere reached a potential audience of 100 million.

“Our journey began some six years ago when we knew we were on the cusp of delivering valuable technologies that would make an economic difference to our airline customers. In our business, that happens every 15 or so years, so we have to get it right,” said Mike Bair, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president/general manager of the 787 program. “I am so proud of the men and women of Boeing and of our partner employees in the 70 companies that have brought this airplane to the passengers of the world.”

At this stage 47 customers worldwide have ordered 677 airplanes worth more than $110 billion at current list prices, making the Dreamliner the biggest commercial airplane launch in history.