Boeing has begun assembly of the 1,000th 767 airplane at the factory in Everett, Wash. Mechanics took the first step in major assembly by loading the wing spar into the assembly tool. The spar is the internal support structure that runs through the full length of the wing.
“This is an important milestone for the 767, which has continued to evolve and improve since entering service nearly 30 years ago,” said Kim Pastega, vice president and general manager of the 767 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 767 is a high-performing twin-aisle airplane that delivers nearly 99 percent dispatch reliability every day for more than 90 operators around the world.”
The 1,000th airplane, a 767-300ER (extended range) passenger model, is scheduled for delivery in February 2011 to long-time customer ANA (All Nippon Airways). ANA ordered its first 767 in 1979 and has taken delivery of 89 767s to date.
Boeing will use the 767 as the platform for its NewGen Tanker if it wins the U.S. Air Force KC-X Tanker competition. Contract award currently is scheduled for mid-November.
The Boeing 767 family is a family of clean, quiet, fuel-efficient airplanes that provide maximum market versatility in the 200- to 300-seat market. The Boeing 767 family includes three passenger models — the 767-200ER, 767-300ER and 767-400ER — and a medium-widebody freighter, which is based on the 767-300ER fuselage.
Source: Business Travel Guru
By: Arabella-Cox - 9th September 2010 at 11:20
I would have thought that the political fallout from the USAF choosing the Airbus option would be too great to surmount.
The contract will definitely go to Boeing.
By: Bmused55 - 9th September 2010 at 09:46
Nope. In a nutshell: It was initialy awarded (or was going to be) to Boeing, until some Boeing pen pusher got caught bribing someone in the USAF or some such. Lots of hoo hah and press stuff later the Boeing man is jailed or punished and the contract is now back on the offer table for grabs.
Personally, I think the Airbus is the better plane in terms of perfomance and economy.
However, I doubt the USAF would be forgiven for buying foreign jets for their fleet in the quantities discussed in this contract (even if they get built in America).
Suffice to say, politics will play strong role in this contract.
By: cockerhoop - 9th September 2010 at 07:54
i thought the airbus had won the tanker contract a few years back, have there been loop holes to allow boeing to win it back?
By: Arabella-Cox - 9th September 2010 at 07:02
These are a very good, comfortable aircraft. Not very exciting, but they get the job done with great reliability.
Rather like the aviation version of a Holden Commodore, I think.
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September 9, 2010 at 12:17 am