Boeing 787: Dreamliner is bought all over the world, except Russia
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Boeing 787: Dreamliner is bought all over the world, except Russia

This long-range wide-body aircraft is rightfully considered one of the best in the world. Dreamliner – “Dreamliner”, it received this name from American marketers. And they know their business.


However, it can be considered that the machine was created "by accident". In the late 1990s, the company decided that it was time to replace the rapidly aging 767 model with something special, super-modern, capable of showing competitors in the form of Airbus what the Americans can do. In addition, Europe was already flying the A330 (put into operation in 1994), which surpasses the Boeing 767 in all respects.

Boeing Sonic Cruiser


This is the name given to the new project: an airliner capable of flying at transonic speed. At the same time, due to the speed of movement, the new machine should consume as much fuel as its predecessor. But the terrorist attack of September 11 and the sharp jump in oil prices that occurred after this dramatic event made their adjustments to Boeing's plans.

Boeing 787: Dreamliner is bought all over the world, except RussiaThe Boeing Sonic Cruiser project was soon abandoned. Photo: youtube.com

When choosing an aircraft, air carriers began to look more at its efficiency rather than speed. Therefore, the aircraft concern almost "changed its shoes in the air", presenting a new project called 7E7 to the world. It used some developments from Boeing Sonic Cruiser.

Russian specialists from the Moscow Boeing design center took part in the design of the Boeing-787. The design center began operating in 1998.

In 2005, it was announced that the airliner had received the index 787. A little later, the aircraft was given its own name – Dreamliner.

Test


The aircraft was supposed to take to the skies in 2007, but the partners let us down by not delivering the necessary components. The delays continued, but in the end, the 787 took off on 15.12.2009/XNUMX/XNUMX.

A huge number of companies were involved in the construction of the aircraft, which complicated logistics and delayed test flights. Photo: youtube.com

The first test was successful and the airliner began its "victorious march" through the world's air shows. After Farnborough in England, the Boeing-787 was shown in Moscow at MAKS-2011. The machine aroused obvious interest and the first customer was the Japanese company All Nippon Airways.

Japanese welcome the first Boeing-787. Photo: youtube.com

The test flight was made in the summer of 2011 from Seattle to Tokyo. Japanese specialists also took part in testing the airliner. Then, for a whole week, the plane flew in test mode between the largest cities: Okayama, Hiroshima, Osaka, etc. In August of the same year, the 787 received a certificate from the American regulator, in September it was handed over to the customer, and in October it first flew on a commercial route with passengers.

Modifications


After successful testing of the basic model, the company offered two more versions of the aircraft. Boeing-787-9 was a replacement for 767-400, had an extended fuselage (start of operation - 2014). If the basic version of 787-8 could accommodate a maximum of 381 passengers, then 787-9 - 420. At the same time, the flight range increased from 13 thousand 620 to 14 140 km. Interestingly, the more massive aircraft had a reduced landing range of 300 m. Although later this advantage was "liquidated", achieving the same characteristics for the basic 787-8 of 2600 m (previously - 3100 m).

Externally, the Boeing-787-9 is almost no different from the base model. Photo: youtube.com

Another modification, the Boeing 787-10, began commercial flights in 2018. This aircraft was also elongated, but was designed for use on short-haul routes up to 12 km. The liner could accommodate a maximum of 440 passengers.

The most capacious modification is Boeing-787-10. Photo: youtube.com

The cost of each of the three Boeing-787 variants was $248,3, $292,5 and $338,4 million, respectively. However, there was also a 787-3 project. This aircraft, which could accommodate up to 330 people, was intended to replace the 777-200 model on short flights. However, in 2010, the construction of the aircraft was abandoned.

About the Boeing 787 design


The main feature is in the materials used. Half of them are composites, 20% are aluminum, 15% are titanium, 10% are steel. The remaining 5% are probably trim elements, including plastic and other. Simply put, the 787 is stronger and lighter than its predecessors. For example, in the 777, composites account for only 9%.

Never before have so many composites been used in aircraft construction. Photo: youtube.com

The wings of the "dream plane" are designed in the form of an arrow, and have winglets with a variable configuration, which increases the lift force by a couple of percent.

The elastic wings can be seen bending in flight, improving aerodynamics. Photo: youtube.com

The planes are very flexible and can bend, which is clearly visible during landing and takeoff. The bottom of the body is made flat, and this increased the baggage compartment by 45%, compared to the 767 model.

Engines


Two variants are used: GEnx from the American company General Electric, or the English Trent-1000 from Rolls-Royce. The total thrust of the power plant is from 280 to 340 kN, multiplied by two. However, it is not only the power that is of interest, but also the design of the rear part of the turbines in the form of teeth, called "chevrons".

The toothed rear of the engine. Photo: youtube.com

According to the designers (NASA participated in the development), this technical solution mixes the elastic jet stream with the outside air better and more smoothly. This made it possible to reduce the noise of the engines by 15 dB and save on soundproofing materials, as the manufacturer claims.

What's in the cockpit


Each pilot has his own monitor. All avionics are ARINC 661 systems. The necessary data can be projected directly onto the windshield (HUD technology). Many drivers already know what this is. The aileron deflection system is also of interest: more precisely, its connection with special sensors in the nose of the aircraft that react to turbulence.

The pilots feel at home in the cockpit. Photo: youtube.com

When it is detected, the wing mechanization kicks in, and as a result, passengers experience less discomfort. Another interesting innovation is the diagnostic system. When any problems are detected in the liner's units, it sends data to the repairmen on the ground via radio. They already know what to do before even approaching the plane at the airport. This reduces maintenance time.

In the cabin


One of the innovations is maintaining a higher pressure inside, compared to other similar machines, corresponding to 1800 m above sea level. This became possible thanks to the composite fuselage. If it were aluminum, the sensations in the cabin would correspond to those at an altitude of 2400 m. Moreover, the air does not come from the engines (it has to be cooled), as in other airliners, but directly from the environment.

In business class. Photo: youtube.com

The cabin, compared to the 767, has become 40 cm wider, so there are more seats. The windows are a "separate song". Firstly, they are larger than those of the predecessor, and secondly, they are made of electrochromic glass. This gave the passenger the opportunity to independently select the desired level of darkening using a button - there are five in total. However, if necessary, the flight attendant can set one level of transparency for all windows at once.

You can darken the windows yourself by choosing one of five levels. Photo: youtube.com

Economy class has three rows of seats with the same number of seats. Each passenger has a monitor. They can broadcast entertainment programs or messages from flight attendants or the crew. Of course, there are also USB ports and broadband Internet with a speed of up to 250 kbps. Business class has more spacious seats that recline for comfortable sleep, as well as larger monitors.

Exploitation


The car is selling well all over the world: in addition to the USA, Europe and Japan, this model is in the fleets of companies from Turkey, Israel, Mexico, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

Boeing-787 of Uzbek airline takes off

But Russian air carriers do not have such aircraft. In 2007, Aeroflot ordered several planes, but changed its mind 10 years later.
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