787 (finally) receives FAA and EASA certification

Boeing received certification for the all-new 787 Dreamliner from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) during a ceremony at the company's Everett facility near Washington last Friday 26 August.  It had been a long time coming. See ANA confirms 787 schedules.

It was back in the late 1990s that Boeing realised a successor was needed for the 767, smaller than the 777 and larger than the much missed 757.  Its first stab at this product was the faster but fundamentally flawed Sonic Cruiser, which was dropped.  In April 2004 ANA announced a 50-aircraft order for the then 7E7 with first deliveries due prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Three years late, but with a record 821 commitments, the new aircraft, now called the 787 Dreamliner, has finally arrived.

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt presented the US Type Certificate to 787 Chief Pilot Mike Carriker and 787 Vice President and Chief Project Engineer Mike Sinnett, both of whom have worked on the programme since the day it began.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh said: "This airplane embodies the hopes and dreams of everyone fortunate enough to work on it.  Their dreams are now coming true." www.boeing.com/commercial

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