Boeing has established two world records with the 787 Dreamliner, setting new marks for both speed and distance for the aircraft’s weight class.
“Speed and distance capabilities are fundamental to the value the 787 brings to the market,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. “These records are a great way to demonstrate that this airplane is the game-changer we have promised.”
According to the manufacturer, the Boeing 787-8 is the first aircraft to combine ultra-long-distance capabilities with mid-size capacity (210 to 250 passengers in three-class seating), allowing airlines to open new, non-stop routes on long, thin sectors. Boeing claims the 787 is 20 per cent more fuel efficient than similarly sized aircraft.
Boeing established two world records with the Boeing 787 in its weight class when the sixth Boeing 787 – ZA006 – departed Boeing Field in Seattle on December 6, 2011 and completed an around-the-world trip on December 8. As of December 2011, the Boeing 787 held the record for the longest flight and the fastest speed around the world for its weight class. Six pilots shared duties during the two days of flying. The route took the aircraft from Seattle to Dhaka in Bangladesh and back to Seattle
The sixth 787, ZA006, powered by General Electric GEnx-1B engines, departed from Boeing Field in Seattle at 11:02 a.m. on December 6 and set the distance record for its class (440,000lb-550,000 lb) with a 10,710nm (19,835km) eastbound flight to Dhaka in Bangladesh. The flight was given credit for 10,337nm (19,144km).
This record had previously been held by the Airbus A330-200, based on a 9,127nm (16,903km) flight in 2002.
Following an approximately two-hour stop for refueling in Dhaka, ZA006 returned to Seattle on a 9,734nm (18,027km) flight. The aircraft landed at 5:29 a.m. on December 8, setting a new record for speed around the world in an eastbound direction, with a total trip time of 42 hours and 27 minutes. There was no previous round-the-world speed record for this weight class.
The 787 carried six pilots, an observer for the National Aeronautic Association (NAA), and operations and other Boeing employees – 13 people in total.
Flight routing on the first segment of the journey took the aircraft from Seattle across the U.S. to Nantucket. After crossing the Atlantic Ocean, ZA006 entered European air space at Santiago in Spain.
The 787 then proceeded along and across the Mediterranean, across Egypt to Luxor, across the Middle East and over India to Bangladesh. On the second segment, the Dreamliner flew over Singapore, the Philippines and Guam before entering U.S. airspace over Honolulu and returning to Seattle.
“GE Aviation is thrilled to be a part of the record-setting flights on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner,” said Bill Fitzgerald, vice president and general manager, GEnx Program at GE Aviation. “These world records showcase the extreme reliability and durability of the GEnx-1B engines and the advanced technologies that are incorporated.”
Boeing now holds world records for longest-distance flights in five weight classes, with records set by the KC-135, 767-200ER, 777-200 and 777-200LR (which is the world’s longest-range airliner) as well as the 787-8. The 777-200 also holds the speed record for its weight class.
The GEnx-1B engine recently received 330-minute extended-range, twin-operations (ETOPS) approval on its engine type certificate from the
FAA.
To receive the approval, which allows twin-engine aircraft powered by the GEnx-1B (such as the Boeing 787) to operate on routes over water or remote territory up to five-and-a-half hours away from the nearest diversionary airport in the event of an engine shutdown, the GEnx-1B completed all requirements, including a demanding 3,000-cycle ground endurance test.
Related to this story:
- Boeing 787 World Tour to Visit Dublin and Three U.S. Cities in January
- Boeing Schedules Development 787 for Six-Month World ‘Dream Tour’
- Boeing Sets Delivery Date of First Customer 747-8 Freighter
- Boeing Sets Delivery Date for First 787 as FAA and EASA Award Certification
- First GE-Powered Boeing 787 Makes its First Flight
