On 05.29.09, In Aircraft, by Wayne Farley
The 787 Dreamliner is Boeing’s newest commercial aircraft offering unmatched fuel efficiency, resulting in exceptional environmental performance. The airplane will use 20 percent less fuel for comparable missions and travelling at speeds (Mach 0.85) similar to today’s fastest wide bodies.
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The 787 is the first commercial airplane to make the change from metal to composite structure. The majority of the 787’s major structure is made out of composite material. The Dreamliner is the first commercial airplane to be built with a one-piece fuselage. Manufacturing a one-piece fuselage section eliminates 1,500 aluminum sheets and 40,000 to 50,000 fasteners.
Dreamliner Illustration
Click image to enlarge.
Dreamliner Specifications
<table width=”625″ border=”0″ cellspacing=”5″ cellpadding=”0″>
<tr>
<td valign=”top”><strong>Model</strong></td>
<td><strong>787-3</strong></td>
<td><strong>787-8</strong></td>
<td><strong>787-9</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=”top”><strong>Crew</strong></td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=”top”><strong>Passengers</strong></td>
<td>290-330</td>
<td>210-250</td>
<td>250-290</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=”top”><strong>Length</strong></td>
<td>186 ft (56.7 m)</td>
<td>186 ft (56.7 m)</td>
<td>206 ft (62.8 m)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=”top”><strong>Wingspan</strong></td>
<td>170 ft 6 in (52.0 m)</td>
<td>197 ft 3 in (60.1 m)</td>
<td>197 ft 3 in (60.1 m)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=”top”><strong>Height</strong></td>
<td>55 ft 6 in (16.9 m)</td>
<td>55 ft 6 in (16.9 m)</td>
<td>55 ft 6 in (16.9 m)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=”top”><strong>Fuselage dimensions</strong></td>
<td>Width: 18 ft 11 in (5.77 m)<br />
Height: 19 ft 5 in (5.92 m)</td>
<td>Width: 18 ft 11 in (5.77 m)<br />
Height: 19 ft 5 in (5.92 m)</td>
<td>Width: 18 ft 11 in (5.77 m)<br />
Height: 19 ft 5 in (5.92 m)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=”top”><strong>Cabin width</strong></td>
<td>18 ft (5.49 m)</td>
<td>18 ft (5.49 m)</td>
<td>18 ft (5.49 m)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=”top”><strong>Empty weight</strong></td>
<td>223,000 lb (101,000 kg)</td>
<td>242,000 lb (110,000 kg)</td>
<td>254,000 lb (115,000 kg)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=”top”><strong>Maximum landing weight</strong></td>
<td>355,000 lb (161,000 kg)</td>
<td>380,000 lb (172,000 kg)</td>
<td>425,000 lb (193,000 kg)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=”top”><strong>MTOW</strong></td>
<td>375,000 lb (170,000 kg)</td>
<td>502,500 lb (228,000 kg)</td>
<td>547,000 lb (248,000 kg)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=”top”><strong>Cruising speed (FL410)</strong></td>
<td>Mach 0.85 (903 km/h, 487 knots)</td>
<td>Mach 0.85 (903 km/h, 487 knots)</td>
<td>Mach 0.85 (903 km/h, 487 knots)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=”top”><strong>Maximum speed (FL400)</strong></td>
<td>Mach 0.89 (945 km/h, 510 knots)</td>
<td>Mach 0.89 (945 km/h, 510 knots)</td>
<td>Mach 0.89 (945 km/h, 510 knots)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=”top”><strong>Maximum range, fully loaded</strong></td>
<td>2,500–3,050 nmi (4,630–5,650 km; 2,880–3,510 mi)</td>
<td>7,650–8,200 nmi (14,200–15,200 km; 8,800–9,440 mi)</td>
<td>8,000–8,500 nmi (14,800–15,700 km; 9,210–9,780 mi)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=”top”><strong>Service ceiling</strong></td>
<td>43,000 ft </td>
<td>43,000 ft </td>
<td>43,000 ft </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=”top”><strong>Engines (×2)</strong></td>
<td>General Electric GEnx <i>or</i> Rolls-Royce Trent 1000</td>
<td>General Electric GEnx <i>or</i> Rolls-Royce Trent 1000</td>
<td>General Electric GEnx <i>or</i> Rolls-Royce Trent 1000</td>
</tr>
</table>
| Model | 787-3 | 787-8 | 787-9 |
| Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Passengers | 290-330 | 210-250 | 250-290 |
| Length | 186 ft (56.7 m) | 186 ft (56.7 m) | 206 ft (62.8 m) |
| Wingspan | 170 ft 6 in (52.0 m) | 197 ft 3 in (60.1 m) | 197 ft 3 in (60.1 m) |
| Height | 55 ft 6 in (16.9 m) | 55 ft 6 in (16.9 m) | 55 ft 6 in (16.9 m) |
| Fuselage dimensions | Width: 18 ft 11 in (5.77 m)
Height: 19 ft 5 in (5.92 m) |
Width: 18 ft 11 in (5.77 m)
Height: 19 ft 5 in (5.92 m) |
Width: 18 ft 11 in (5.77 m)
Height: 19 ft 5 in (5.92 m) |
| Cabin width | 18 ft (5.49 m) | 18 ft (5.49 m) | 18 ft (5.49 m) |
| Empty weight | 223,000 lb (101,000 kg) | 242,000 lb (110,000 kg) | 254,000 lb (115,000 kg) |
| Maximum landing weight | 355,000 lb (161,000 kg) | 380,000 lb (172,000 kg) | 425,000 lb (193,000 kg) |
| MTOW | 375,000 lb (170,000 kg) | 502,500 lb (228,000 kg) | 547,000 lb (248,000 kg) |
| Cruising speed (FL410) | Mach 0.85 (903 km/h, 487 knots) | Mach 0.85 (903 km/h, 487 knots) | Mach 0.85 (903 km/h, 487 knots) |
| Maximum speed (FL400) | Mach 0.89 (945 km/h, 510 knots) | Mach 0.89 (945 km/h, 510 knots) | Mach 0.89 (945 km/h, 510 knots) |
| Maximum range, fully loaded | 2,500–3,050 nmi (4,630–5,650 km; 2,880–3,510 mi) | 7,650–8,200 nmi (14,200–15,200 km; 8,800–9,440 mi) | 8,000–8,500 nmi (14,800–15,700 km; 9,210–9,780 mi) |
| Service ceiling | 43,000 ft | 43,000 ft | 43,000 ft |
| Engines (×2) | General Electric GEnx or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 | General Electric GEnx or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 | General Electric GEnx or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 |
I am Wayne, a career air traffic controller. Engage me while I share my thoughts, experience, and news from the aviation world. 
2 Responses
Great Blog! Love it!! I’m so excited to fly the 787!
Very nice site. I feel it is a good point of view from a knowledgeable source. I too look forward to a trip on the 787.