Dreamliner wins aeronautics award

The 787 Dreamliner won a National Aeronautic Association award for excellence in the aerospace industry, the Boeing Co. announced Tuesday.

The association awards the Robert J. Collier Trophy to the air or space vehicle that represents the greatest aeronautic achievement in America.

“We were very pleased with this year’s slate of nominations,” said Walter Boyne, chairman of the National Aeronautic Association and chairman of the Selection Committee. “All of them were impressive, inspirational, and innovative and certainly represent the future of aviation and aerospace.”

The Dreamliner is the first mid-size plane that can fly long-range routes and is 20% more fuel efficient than similarly sized planes. Boeing also built the 787 with composite materials.

The Collier Trophy was first awarded in 1911. Past winners include Orville Wright; Neil Armstrong and the Apollo 11 Moon mission team; Boeing’s 747 and 777; the International Space Station, and others.

Boeing South Carolina expects to deliver its first Dreamliner in June.