787 does high speed taxi

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by LeeNetworX

[Rider]

Originally Posted by Avatard

OK, so obviously a guppy-type mod on a 747 platform is possible. That thing is in fact 3 stories tall, not two...so it begs the question:

The Dreamliner was a lightweight composite, energy efficient rethink for point-to-point travel from anywhere on Earth to anywhere on Earth...something that would allow airlines a complete rethink in how they "hub"...Airbus chose an alternate strategy, and chose to become the "big dog" in the commercial airline industry with the 380 double-decker...

...and pundits have argued that Boeing's strategy is now bound to pay off better, especially given the current industry outlook...

...but now that the Dreamliner is pretty much done, why doesn't Boeing just fit some new high bypass engines, lighter composite wings, and a pop-top addition to the venerable 747 airframe, and handily eat Airbus's lunch on both fronts?

Not sure what Boeing has in the hopper on continuing to improve current airframes, but Airbus is doing this on the A350, an A330 derivative using lighter materials and more efficient engines.

[goof2]

Originally Posted by Avatard

OK, so obviously a guppy-type mod on a 747 platform is possible. That thing is in fact 3 stories tall, not two...so it begs the question:

The Dreamliner was a lightweight composite, energy efficient rethink for point-to-point travel from anywhere on Earth to anywhere on Earth...something that would allow airlines a complete rethink in how they "hub"...Airbus chose an alternate strategy, and chose to become the "big dog" in the commercial airline industry with the 380 double-decker...

...and pundits have argued that Boeing's strategy is now bound to pay off better, especially given the current industry outlook...

...but now that the Dreamliner is pretty much done, why doesn't Boeing just fit some new high bypass engines, lighter composite wings, and a pop-top addition to the venerable 747 airframe, and handily eat Airbus's lunch on both fronts?

I'm pretty sure the Dreamlifter wouldn't be able to handle the weight of the additional interior requirements (seats, floors, electronics, air conditioning ducting, overhead bins, etc.), additional passengers, and additional baggage. The aircraft is set up to fly around a portion of a completely empty fuselage made entirely out of composite. It is big, not dense. Additional passengers, with all the crap that goes with them, are dense (in more ways than one).

Boeing has also continuously modified the 747 with modern engine technology and weight savings. I doubt they could generate much further efficiencies from the airframe without starting over with a clean sheet design.

Factor in the questions that still exist about the A380, primarily the fact that only around 20 airports can handle the aircraft, and I'm not sure why Boeing would want to compete directly with the Airbus anyway.

[Rangerscott]

So how many polar bears does this thing kill?

Originally Posted by askmrjesus

If you listen closely, you can hear a Zippo lighter opening at 1:33 and closing at 1:37.

JC

Sounded like a knock off.

[Smittie61984]

Boring. I want a supersonic jet for long trips, not one that hauls more people to annoy me.

[Particle Man]

That's a hell of a wheelie

[Quick281]

Originally Posted by KSGregman

It's about fucking time....we've been sitting on nearly a billion dollars worth of inventory related to that program for two years.

Hopefully there won't be any more surprises during the certification process and full rate production can begin next year. You guys should SEE the Dreamlifter..the heavily modified 747 Boeing uses to haul completed Section 41s out of Wichita...it's an impressive plane too.

That wouldn't make frequent trips to Anchorage would it? I am pretty sure I saw a modified 747 here when I was last in Anchorage.


Actually I am pretty sure it was here. It was insane to see.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_...argo_Freighter

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by Particle Man

That's a hell of a wheelie

That was my first thought.

Originally Posted by Rangerscott

So how many polar bears does this thing kill?

That was my second.

[Avatard]

Originally Posted by Quick281

That wouldn't make frequent trips to Anchorage would it? I am pretty sure I saw a modified 747 here when I was last in Anchorage.


Actually I am pretty sure it was here. It was insane to see.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_...argo_Freighter

Didja read the bottom of that wiki page where they talk about a Cessna that hit this thing's wake? The guy recovered at 150 ft. He probably needed to change his shorts afterward.