Boeing Discusses Production Rates for 787

The production rate is one of those things that seems a little mysterious. Afterall, why can't they just build 40 at once? Aircraft are not like cars in many ways. I cannot really see 1,000,000 aircraft coming off the production lines anytime soon. Aircraft are big and expensive, and it take a little bit to build them. Especially room. It may be the largest building in the world by volume, but it isn't THAT big.

Boeing steps up rollout of 787s
Seattle Times 06/24/2006
Author: Dominic Gates
(Copyright 2006)
EVERETT -- Boeing's head salesman disclosed Friday that 787 jets will be rolling out of Everett at a minimum rate of 10 a month soon after production starts -- a faster rate than for any previous wide-body jet in the company's history.

The increase, from an original plan for seven a month, probably won't require a large number of extra production workers. But, in a hot market where Boeing can sell as many of these new wide-body jets as it can build, a speedy ramp-up will boost sales.

"We're talking about stepping up fairly rapidly to 10 a month," said Scott Carson, vice president of sales at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, speaking Friday at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting. Boeing has never before built more than seven per month of any wide-body model.

Boeing plans to deliver the first 787s in May or June 2008, according to internal schedules obtained by The Seattle Times. The company has firm orders or commitments for more than 400 aircraft, with sales proposals under evaluation for 500 more.

Because Airbus won't roll out a rival to the 787 until 2011 or 2012, the more airplanes Boeing can build before then, the more of the market it has to itself.

Tags: Aerospace | Engineering