Boeing Sees Gains in the Dreamliner

http://www.airportbusiness.com/article/ ... =1&id=8137

A shark tooth edge on the rear of the engine casing dampens noise and more aerodynamically designed wing flaps, used during takeoff and landing, will help to reduce the 787's noise "footprint" to about half that of existing similar sized jets.

Lower noise pollution will allow airlines to fly into many airports with noise curfew restrictions more often or later into the evening.

The fire resistant properties of carbon fibre are also expected to improve the chances of passenger survival in a crash. Aluminium melts in about one minute in a post-crash fire.

Carbon fibre withstands a fire for more than five minutes, providing crucial time to allow passengers to escape, Mr Hawk says.

Boeing made an unexpected discovery during strength testing of the fuselage which showed cabin pressure was maintained even after a 30cm-long steel blade was fired through the aircraft skin.

The carbon fibres had remained interwoven, in effect resealing the hole, even when pressure was increased.

Great article actually. I'm looking forward to seeing this aircraft flying. Although I dare say, with the amount of aircraft Qantas has ordered, I'll tire of them quickly. Prettier aircraft than the 767. The vanilla flavoured 767's provide me with the ability to drop my camera and rest.

I too am really looking forward to it. Iwould love to see an 727-200 with stage 3's follow the 787, that would be an interesting comparison.