Boeing”s mammoth freighter, a specially adapted 747-400 officially called ”Dreamlifter”, has made its maiden working flight from Nagoya (Japan) to Seattle. On board was a forward fuselage section made by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the centre wheel well and fuel tanks by KHI and Fuji Heavy Industries.
”The Dreamlifter proved beyond a doubt that it is the right transportation solution for the lean, global production system we are using to build the 787”, said vice president of aeorplane development and production for the 787 programme Scott Strode. ”We can now do in hours what used to take weeks. This is good news for us, our partners and ultimately, our airline customers.”
The first 787 is due to fly in mid-summer. With over 400 firm orders to date it is by far the most successful commercial aircraft project in terms of launch commitment by airlines.
In another sign of production readiness, the second Dreamlifter rolled out of the hangar 7January in Taipei (Taiwan), sporting its distinctive new white and blue livery. The aircraft will take its first flight in the next few weeks. Boeing plans to use three mammoth Dreamlifters as part of its 787 assembly process.