Boeing 787 Dreamliner launch delayed for 4th time - Management reshuffled

Boeing have announced today a delayed launch (their fourth delay) for their 787 Dreamliner, their first new commercial plane since 1995.

The 787's first test flight is now expected to take place in the second quarter ( between April and June ) of 2009. This they say will enable first deliveries to be made to All Nippon Airways in the first quarter of 2010.

Hit by redesign of major parts, such as the wing box of this mainly carbon composite plane, problems with overseas suppliers, the need to replace thousands of fasteners in early production airplanes because technical specifications describing the preparation of the fastener holes were poorly written , integration of software controls and the 58 day machinists strike the programme is now 2 years behind schedule - with the airframe still well overweight.

Management Shuffle

Pat Shanahan, 46 who has been in charge of the 787 programme for the last 12 months is now in charge of a new Airplane Programs organization cpvering all current production and development programs, including the 787 Dreamliner and 747-8 and will report directly to Commercial Airplanes President Scott Carson.

Ray Conner, VP Sales has been shunted to head Supply Chain Management and Operations, which includes Supplier Management, Fabrication, Propulsion Systems and the Manufacturing and Quality unit and reports directly to Carson.

Scott Fancher moves from the missile-defense business in Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems division to take over Shanahan's job as
the 787 program's general manager.

Marlin Dailey now head of sales efforts in Europe, Russia and Central Asia takes over Connor's role as VP sales.

CEO Scott Carson will be 63 next summer.