Oct 9, 2017 | Source: Composites Manufacturing
Last week, Boeing rolled out the first 787-10 Dreamliner built for commercial use at its Final Assembly facility in North Charleston, S.C. Singapore Airlines is the launch customer of the 787-10 and currently has 30 airplanes on firm order. The airline also signed a letter of intent in February to purchase 19 additional 787-10s. Boeing says that as an 18-foot (5.5-m) stretch of the 787-9, the 787-10 will deliver 25 percent better fuel per seat and emissions than the airplanes it will replace.
The 787 Dreamliner is the first major commercial airplane to have a composite fuselage, composite wings, and use composites in most other airframe components. A 2007 report from Toray notes that each 787 contains approximately 77,000 pounds of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), made with 23 tons of carbon fiber. According to aircraft database Airframer.com, the Dreamliner incorporates composite materials from 19 companies, including Hexcel, Toray, Orbital ATK, The Gill Corporation, TenCate and Solvay.
“Boeing is excited to have finished final assembly of the first 787-10 Dreamliner for Singapore Airlines,” said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president, Asia Pacific & India Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “With its unprecedented efficiency, greater capacity and the Dreamliner’s known preferred passenger experience, the 787-10 will be an important part of the airline’s future fleet.”
It’s been a busy year for the 787-10. The plane made its official debut during President Trump’s visit to North Charleston in February, and took off for the first time in April.
According to Boeing, the airplane will now undergo the painting of the airline’s livery and begin its system checks, fueling, and engine runs. Singapore Airlines is due to take delivery of its first 787-10 in the first half of 2018 and will be operated on the airline’s medium-haul routes.