Boeing breaks two world records with 787

Charleston Regional Business Journal
Matt Tomsic
February 29, 2012

The Boeing Co. received certificates Tuesday confirming two world records its 787 Dreamliner set in late 2011.

The 787 broke the record for the longest flight of an airplane for its weight class and set an around-the-world speed record also for its weight class.

The Dreamliner earned the first record by flying 10,336 nautical miles from Seattle to Bangladesh. The Airbus A330 previously held the distance record with a 9,126 nautical mile flight in 2002.

The crew refueled in Bangladesh then continued eastbound and returned to Seattle 42 hours and 26 minutes after their departure, which set the around-the-world record at 470 knots. No previous speed record for the around-the-world trip exists for the 787’s weight class.

“Around-the-world records are extremely challenging, and Boeing should be very proud of the successful world and national records they achieved with these flights,” said Jonathan Gaffney, the president and CEO of the National Aeronautic Association. Gaffney presented Boeing with the certificates. “We were proud to have had the opportunity to record and certify them.”

Capt. Rod Skaar, who led the crew and was one of the six pilots on the flight, received the award.

At the North Charleston plant, the first Lowcountry-built Dreamliner moved into the final factory position on Sunday.

At Position 4/5, workers will finish installing the plane’s interior and perform a production test, which ensures the finished airplane conforms to design and product definition data. The test also ensures the plane is safe.

Boeing expects to deliver the first 787 from North Charleston in mid-2012.

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