BOEING DREAMLINER 787-BUILT IN CHARLESTON

July 20 2010: Marco Cavazzoni, VP and General Manager of Boeing Final Assembly and Delivery for the new “Dreamliner” enthusiastically brought us up to date on this sensational new industry in Charleston. Marco is a graduate of the University of Toronto, has a masters degree from Concordia University and a doctorate in organizational leadership from Pepperdine University. He is also a world class swimmer. He has worked on the C-17 and 747-400 aircraft.

The 787 airplane embraces the newest of technology highlighted by the use of carbon fiber filaments which give the plane more strength, less weight and it will not rust. Two main rear sections of the plane are totally made in Charleston, and two mid sections are made in Japan and Italy, transported here on the “Dreamlifter”, and then assembled and attached together.

Among the plane’s many advantages are: less fuel needed and overall lower operating costs; less maintenance; less airport fees for reconfiguring the plane; more speed; more revenue creating cargo; better altitude pressure within the plane; less body stress in taking off and landing as the fiber carbon body will stretch; and the ability to easily reconfigure the plane from seats to cargo.

The Dreamliner is a true world plane in that parts come from around the globe and more airline companies outside the United States are purchasing the plane. 863 planes have been ordered to go to 56 customers. Due to its many improvements including better fuel efficiency and overall weight, the 787-8 can fly from New York City to Hong Kong without a stop.

The interior is very friendly to passengers with more height, better air quality, improved storage for carryon luggage, quieter sound and improved humidity.

The assembly building when completed will be the largest such building in the world, with 1.1 million sq. ft. under roof. The assembly area is totally open with no obstructions and will have a balcony to view the planes being built. Virtually the whole state has been involved in this construction with South Carolina contractors doing the work. The company also has and will continue to employ local people.

Production is expected to begin in July of 2011 with the first plane rolling out in the first quarter of 2012. Marco assured us that he will return to our club to keep us up to date on progress.

Reported by Fred Sales, Keyway Committee

For more information on the 787 and other Boeing airplanes, as well as pictures of the products, visit Boeing’s public websites at: www.newairplanes.com or www.boeing.com.