Jul 18
An international team of investigators has concluded that the battery inside the emergency locator transmitter is the likely cause of the fire
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Apr 19
It’s been a few weeks since the Boeing 787 successfully completed testing, but the FAA has finally weighed in on the proposed tweaks to the plane’s faulty lithium-ion batteries. Today the organization approved Boeing’s battery fix, which means the aircraft maker could soon end the three-month grounding of all Dreamliners. The real action will come next week, when the FAA will issue instructions for making changes to the 787s and — according to an official statement — “publish in the Federal Register the final directive that will allow the 787 to return to service.” Airlines operating the Dreamliner, including United and ANA, will be required to install containment and venting systems in addition to replacing the batteries with the new, modified components. This is certainly some good news for Boeing; these past few months haven’t exactly been easy on the company’s pocketbook (or reputation), but it still has plenty of work ahead in retrofitting its 50-strong fleet.
Filed under: Transportation
Via: Reuters
Source: FAA
Mar 25
January was when the global fleet of 50 Boeing 787 Dreamliners was grounded after a couple of incidents that lead to emergency landings and smoke filling up in the cockpit. All of that had been due to an issue with the airplane’s battery which was causing it to overheat. Boeing is now testing the new lithium-ion battery system and hopes that the new batteries will be deemed up to safety standards.
In what was the first of two test flights, a Boeing 797 Dreamliner took to the skies at around 12:11 a.m. Pacific Time from Paine Field in Everett, Washington. It was a two hour test flight which was designed to show that all the systems are functioning normally, and that there are no battery related issues now. The 787′s single certification flight is up next, one that will determine if the entire fleet of Boeing’s latest airplane will be ungrounded. According to some estimates, Boeing is losing around $50 million per week while the Dreamliner is grounded. No doubt it wants to get this airplace back in the skies again! Boeing officials believe that it could be back up by the 1st of May.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: UK Rail Stations Get Free Wi-Fi Thanks To Microsoft’s Deal With The Cloud, FAA Might Remove Reading Device Restriction For Passengers Later This Year, 
Mar 14
Tonight, Boeing detailed its solution for the 787 Dreamliner’s battery problems. It involves improving the battery itself, fixing the charging system and adding another layer of protection with an added enclosure. Boeing is still committed to lithium-ion batteries and this solution will allow Boeing to continue to use them in the 787. More »
Mar 12
FAA approves 787 Dreamliner certification plan for testing Boeing’s battery fix
Posted in: Today's Chili 
The last we heard in the saga of the grounded 787 Dreamliner came last month, when Boeing announced that it had developed a “permanent” fix to the airliner’s battery fire issues. Today, the FAA issued its approval of the company’s certification plan, allowing Boeing to begin testing its proposed battery improvements. Boeing’s fix includes redesigned internal batteries, better insulation and new venting system, and the FAA has given the go-ahead for testing prototype versions of the setup on two aircraft. The agency originally cleared Boeing for limited testing and ferrying of 787s last month, but completing the FAA certification program is key for the company returning to commercial service. Don’t get set on a first-class ticket to Japan just yet, though; these things take time.
Filed under: Transportation
Via: The Verge
Source: FAA
Jan 18
All of the operational Boeing 787 Dreamliners in the world—50 of ’em—are now sitting on runways being prodded by men with clipboards, after a series of safety niggles caused worries for air authorities and triggered a global grounding. More »
Jan 16
After Japan grounded the giant Boeing 787 Dreamliner earlier this morning, the US FAA has announced that it’ll also stop flying the 787 for the time being. Battery failures have been causing fires in the jumbojet and the FAA will examine the lithium ion batteries of the Dreamliners in order to prevent damage to critical systems and structures. More »
Jan 16
Japan’s two largest airlines have decided to ground all of their Boeing Dreamliner 787s after a Nippon Airways plane was forced to make an emergency landing in southwestern Japan. More »
Sep 22
Boeing 747-8, 777 to join 787 in support for in-flight cellphone use and WiFi, like it or not
Posted in: Today's Chili 
The more cynical among us would argue that allowing cellphones in-flight is only a guarantee of an even more unpleasant trip, at least for anyone wanting a distraction-free cabin. There must still be a few optimists: Boeing is promising that future production runs of the 747-8 and 777 will have the necessary support for in-flight cellphone use, live TV and internet access that comes through either headrest screens or WiFi. Aircraft with the upgrade should roll off the production lines before the end of 2013, and they’ll be following a slight change to the 787 later this year that makes the technology support a common option. Some of us may wind up reaching for the earplugs in countries where regulators approve in-air wireless, but there’s definite upsides for all but the biggest curmudgeons — Boeing’s moves could lead to more ubiquitous in-flight WiFi next year, on top of ready-made wireless media streaming due in 2014.
Filed under: Cellphones, Transportation
Boeing 747-8, 777 to join 787 in support for in-flight cellphone use and WiFi, like it or not originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Sep 2012 02:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Aug 02
Boeing prepares to deliver United’s 787 Dreamliner, we climb aboard for a tour (video)
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner is the hottest bird in aviation, and while the American-made airliner has already taken flight with passengers aboard, it has yet to land with US-flag air carrier livery along the fuselage. Japan’s All Nippon Airways was the first to take delivery, with the premier pair making their way from the assembly line in September of 2011. Last year Japan Airlines made its first scheduled voyage across the Pacific in a Dreamliner of its own, and we were fortunate enough to fly roundtrip on a domestic ANA flight leaving from Tokyo a few months later. But now the 787 is making its way to an American carrier. As the first US airline to operate the plane, United Airlines is about to take delivery of its first of 50 Dreamliners, which will join the carrier’s fleet to service both existing and new routes, such as Denver to Tokyo, which is set to launch in late March of next year.
We traveled to Boeing’s Everett, Washington factory today for a first look at United’s aircraft. While the Dreamliner looks physically identical to ANA’s plane, the on-board experience is decidedly different from what we saw in Japan. Though the Dreamliner has a very similar layout to United’s bigger 777, it feels roomier thanks to larger windows with dimmable shades, expanded overheard bins and higher ceilings. There’s plenty more to see, though, so jump past the break for a video tour of United’s new mid-size flagship, and a closer look in photos.
Gallery: United Dreamliner interior
Filed under: Transportation
Boeing prepares to deliver United’s 787 Dreamliner, we climb aboard for a tour (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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