Reuters

Boeing’s New Jet Beats the Bounce 

Tuesday, June 27, 2006
The 787 Dreamliner will have sensors that detect strong gusts of wind and automatically adjust the movement of the aircraft to prevent it from being buffeted around. Turbulence, which occurs most frequently when a plane enters the vicinity of a thunderstorm, is believed to be the biggest cause of injury to passengers and crew on flights. Even for those who are securely strapped into their seats, sudden jumps in a plane’s path can trigger about of motion sickness.
The new development by Boeing is designed to reduce the effects of the lateral and vertical gusts and eddies caused by irregular flows of air in the atmosphere. Sensors on the 787 will identify changes in air pressure and determine “the angle of attack”. The aircraft’s flaps and wing tips will then be moved accordingly so they counter vertical gusts, while the rudder will be adjusted to reduce side-to-side “tail-wagging”.
“We have done studies showing that on the 787 we can reduce the amplitude of the vertical motion by two-thirds,” said Mike Sinnett, director of the 787 systems team. “It won’t spell the end of the in-flight sick bag — it may take the elimination of the drinks cart for that — but it should reduce the occurrence (of motion sickness),” he said. The innovation will not, however, be able to counter all forms of turbulence, particularly when it occurs in “clear air”. For example, if the air is free of the moisture found in thunderstorms, onboard radar may not be able to detect the turbulence and instruct the plane to take pre-emptive action. Other comfort-related innovations planned for the 787 have been made possible by the fact that 50% of the aircraft, including the fuselage, tail and wings, will be made from plastic and carbon-fiber composite materials instead of aluminum.
Because composites are less likely than metals to suffer from fatigue over time, Boeing claims it will be able to increase cabin pressure so that the air pressure in the plane will be equivalent to 6,000ft above sea level rather than 8,000ft, the norm at the moment. Farrol Kahn, director of Aviation Health, a non-profit research organization, welcomed the move, claiming it would increase oxygen levels in the cabin by 5%. “It will make the environment more comfortable for elderly people and youngsters with weak hearts and lungs,” he said. “It’s significant because the number of people who die on flights, primarily because of heart failure, is the same as the number of people who are killed on the ground in plane crashes.”
Boeing is also planning to increase cabin humidity by up to 10% on the 787. This rise in moisture levels — avoided until now because of its long-term corrosive effect on metal fuselages — will reduce the chances of passengers suffering itching eyes and dry throats. It may also reduce the spreading of colds. “You are seven times more likely to catch a cold on a plane than on the ground because viruses proliferate in dry conditions,” said Kahn.

 
 
 

Pray to God that you do not experience the kind of turbulence that brought down the Armavia A320 recently. Apparently the passengers didnt even have time to tie their seat belts before the aircraft crashed!!

Nimish wrote:

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I quite enjoy the turbulence during a flight, especially when I'm feeling sleepy, I can easily fall asleep during turbulence!

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http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?feed=AP&Date=20060630&ID=5838692
Boeing Starts 787 Dreamliner Assembly

June 30, 2006

All Associated Press News

CHICAGO (AP) - Boeing Co. said Friday it started production on its new 787 commercial passenger plane, dubbed the "Dreamliner."

The plane, first being assembled at Boeing's Handa, Japan factory, uses 20 percent less fuel than similarly sized planes, emits fewer emissions and is designed for quieter takeoffs and landings.

After assembly in Japan, the plane will be flown to Charleston, S.C. for further assembly and then onto to Everett, Washington. Boeing said 28 airlines have already logged 403 orders for the plane, with those commitments worth more than $55 billion. The Dreamliner is scheduled for delivery beginning in 2008.

Shares of Boeing fell $1.05 to $81.95 on the New York Stock Exchange in afternoon trading.

http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/12/08/Navigation/177/210986/
Picture+Boeing+reveals+new+livery+and+Dreamlifter+name+for+747+Large+Cargo.html
 
Boeing reveals new livery and Dreamlifter name for 747 Large Cargo Freighter
By Justin Wastnage
Boeing has unveiled the first pictures of the modified 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter (LCF) to be used to transport 787 sections (pictured below).
The aircraft is officially dubbed the DreamLifter, in reference to the 787's Dreamliner monicker.
The aircraft are being modified by Evergreen Aviation Technologies in Taiwan. The first aircraft made its first flight in September and is undergoing flight testing and the second LCF will arrive in Seattle early next year, painted and ready to participate in the ongoing flight test programme.

 

© Boeing Media

any idea what the back up plan would have been if the "Dreamlifter" project had failed for some reason.  Boeing must have placed some contingency plans in place to lift fusalage from Japan.  Or maybe used sea-lines instead and in that case the only logistic adjustment would be to ship fusalage a week or so earlier.  Would have increased inventory cost for Boeing.
rgds
VT-ASJ

Is there just one LCF or more.

regds

MEL

there are to be 3 in total if im not mistaken... the second 744 has already been converted into the LCF by Evergreen Tech.. and had its tail opened for the first time this week... (although no pics yet of the second LCF)... she is scheduled to be h/o to Boeing by early Jan