Boeing's latest triumph visits Australia

19 Nov 11

The long awaited and overdue Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been showcased in Australia this week.

Despite the press release below from the minister of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Senator Kim Carr about the key attributes of the aircraft and Australia's design and manufacturing involvement, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce whilst applauding the arrival of the aircraft, and the fact that the aircraft will have significantly lower running costs, amongst it's many key attributes, he has also indicated that the anticipated rollout of 50 aircraft in the Qantas and Jetstar fleet, is not enough alone to offset the headwinds Qantas faces to remain an international airline.

Whilst the Boeing 787 is a success for Australian design and Manufacturing, and will provide Qantas with a much needed fleet advantage, clearly there are still concerns over the airline international future.

The Ministers Press Release Reads:

BOEING DREAMLINER – LIGHTER, STRONGER AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Boeing’s latest long range twin engine aircraft, the Dreamliner, may be on its first visit to Australia this week, but not all of the aircraft’s parts are in the country for the first time. That’s because 4 per cent of the aircraft – the composite moveable trailing edge wing surfaces – are manufactured at Boeing Australia’s Fisherman’s Bend plant and shipped for assembly to Boeing’s US factory in Everett, Washington state.

Inspecting the Dreamliner at Melbourne International Airport, Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr said the innovation embedded in the Dreamliner’s wing surfaces is a great example of world-leading Australian ingenuity and research.

“New materials developed in collaboration with the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Advanced Composite Structures have integrated Australian manufacturing into global supply chains for the Dreamliner,” Senator Carr said. “Boeing Australia has been a significant contributor to and beneficiary of Australian R&D. They have worked closely with the CRC for Advanced Composite Structures, the Australian Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre at Swinburne University and the CSIRO."

“The Dreamliner involves a significantly greater use of fibre composite materials compared with earlier Boeing aircraft designs. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner will be the world's first commercial aircraft made mostly of composite materials. It will use 20 per cent less fuel per passenger than similar planes, produce fewer carbon emissions and will have quieter takeoffs and landings."

“The CRC’s R&D has led to Boeing Aerostructures Australia winning billion dollar contracts to design, manufacture and export wing trailing edge devices (such as flaps, ailerons and spoilers), supporting Australian manufacturing and helping to create more jobs.”

More information on the Boeing Dreamliner is available from www.newairplane.com