Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilots conducted the program's first stall tests - in which pilots intentionally reduce power to both engines and then recover normal flight speeds - as part of the initial airworthiness program for the airplane. Additional stall tests will take place throughout the flight test period.

The testing went "very well and there were no surprises," said 787 Chief Pilot Mike Carriker.

The purpose of the testing is to demonstrate that in the rare event a pilot encounters a stall during flight, the airplane reacts benignly and allows for a smooth recovery. A stall is defined as flying so slowly that the airplane is no longer generating lift.

During stall maneuvers pilots use a disciplined process to slow the airplane down at precise increments to the point where it shakes dramatically, resulting in forces of 1.5 times the force of gravity.

Video highlights and an interview with Carriker are featured in a three-minute video on a new 787 flight test Web site that is being launched today. The site can be accessed at either www.boeing.com or www.newairplane.com.

Boeing News Release Issued: EVERETT, Wash., January 29, 2010 9:39 AM EST /PRNewswire-FirstCall

Boeing Improvements Produce Better Next-Generation 737s Faster
- Next-Generation 737s production surpasses all other 737 models combined
- GOL Airlines receives record-making airplane

In just 12 years, Boeing (NYSE: BA) employees in Renton, Wash., built and delivered 3,133 Next-Generation 737 airplanes. It took 32 years to produce that same number of earlier-model 737s. Relentless employee and supplier focus on efficiency has resulted in 121 customer airlines receiving their airplanes more quickly.

On Dec. 23, GOL Airlines flew the record-making airplane, a 737-800, to its base in Brazil. Minutes later, a second GOL flight crew departed from Seattle on an identical 737-800.



Shortly after delivering the first Next-Generation 737 in 1997, Boeing employees and suppliers began a dual journey to continuously update the airplanes and produce them more efficiently. Employees now assemble the airplanes in just 10 days, compared to 22 days in the past. Boeing produces 31 Next-Generation 737s a month - better than an airplane a day, including weekends and holidays.

Next-Generation 737s are lighter, consume less fuel, release fewer emissions and are more economical to operate and maintain. Airplanes delivered between September 2008 and September 2009 had so few technical issues that passengers left the airport gate on time 99.8 percent of the time.

Next-Generation 737s are as versatile and flexible as they are efficient. The airplane serves as a platform for military transport and surveillance vehicles, as private jets and as commercial airplanes operated around the world by every type of carrier from low-cost to those offering premier service.

In the next few years, passengers will enjoy the new 737 Boeing Sky Interior and airlines will operate models that reduce fuel consumption and emissions by a further two percent.

News Release Issued: SEATTLE, February 1, 2010 2:18 PM EST /PRNewswire-FirstCall/

The Boeing Company today announced that it has been awarded a $324 million Foreign Military Sales contract from the Electronics Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., to upgrade France's fleet of four E-3F Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, as well as the fleet's ground system.

"This upgrade -- the largest ever for French AWACS -- will provide the fleet with more actionable information and better situational awareness," said Steve Swanz, French AWACS program manager for Boeing. "New mission computers also will reduce the mission operator's workload, allowing more time to be spent managing the battlespace."

The French AWACS Mid-Life Upgrade is based on the U.S. AWACS Block 40/45 system, which dramatically enhances the potential for network-enabled operations; increases mission execution capability, reliability and effectiveness; and reduces life-cycle costs.

The upgrade will include:

• A primary AWACS display, which increases situational awareness through its intuitive interface and detailed map database
• Upgraded Identification Friend or Foe Interrogation, including Mode S and Mode 5 capability
• An increase in the number of mission consoles aboard each aircraft, from 10 to 14
• Modern mission computing processing, which enables improved AWACS mission performance through the use of advanced battle management tools such as Automatic Air Tasking Orders and Airspace Coordination Order updates, resource and sensor management, and automated decision aids
• Improved combat identification capabilities from integrated sensor and off-board datalinks
• The Multi-Source Integration process, which automatically integrates data from on- and off-board sources such as radar, Electronic Support Measures and Link 16, to provide significantly improved tracking capabilities
• Digital radio control and management through the new mission computing subsystem
• An open system architecture that enables rapid software upgrades and requires less hardware.

Air France Industries will begin installing the enhancements at its Le Bourget Airport facility near Paris in 2012. The entire fleet is scheduled to complete this upgrade in the third quarter of 2015.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

Boeing press release, SEATTLE, Feb. 3, 2010

Flagship airline adds to its all-Boeing fleet

Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines today announced an order for 10 Next-Generation 737-800s. The order is valued at $767 million at list prices.

Based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the carrier is investing in the additional airplanes to expand its fleet and broaden its network.

"Since its founding in December 1945, Ethiopian Airlines has been a dedicated Boeing operator -- from [the carrier's] first flights using DC-3 propeller-driven airplanes between Addis Ababa and Cairo, to recent orders for the long haul 787s and 777-200LRs, and continuing now with 737-800s. Ethiopian Airlines has been among the most profitable airlines in the region and one of our most valued partners," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

In 2009, Ethiopian Airlines became the first African carrier to order and operate the ultra-long-range 777-200LR model. Ethiopian also was the first African carrier to order the 787 Dreamliner, ordering 10 in 2005.

"The Boeing Next-Generation 737 has proven to be a reliable and profitable component of our fleet," said Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Officer Ato Girma Wake. "Boeing has been an important and valued partner to Ethiopian for many, many years. This order reinforces the deep ties between our two companies."

Ethiopian Airlines is an all-Boeing operator. With the exception of the 747, it has operated every heritage Boeing commercial airplane since the 707. The airline operates five 737-700s and two 737-800s. Ethiopian also operates nine 757s, 10 767s and one MD-11BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter), with a second MD-11BCF arriving in August.

News Release Issued: SEATTLE, January 22, 2010 6:35 PM EST/PRNewswire-FirstCall/

Boeing has completed initial airworthiness testing on the 787 Dreamliner. This milestone will enable more crew members to take part in flights and will allow more airplanes to join the flight test program.



"This is an important step forward," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are very pleased with the results we have achieved so far. The airplane has been performing as we expected."

Since the first flight in mid-December, the program has conducted 15 flights, achieving several key accomplishments. Pilots have taken the airplane to an altitude of 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) and a speed of Mach 0.65. Nearly 60 hours of flying have been completed. Initial stall tests and other dynamic maneuvers have been run, as well as an extensive check-out of the airplane's systems. Six different pilots have been behind the controls of the 787.

In the weeks ahead, the team will continue to expand the flight envelope at which the 787 will operate to reach an altitude of more than 40,000 feet (12,192 meters) and a speed of Mach 0.85. Subsequent testing will push the airplane beyond expected operational conditions.

"The pilots have told me the results we are seeing in flight match their expectations and the simulations we've run. That's a real tribute to Boeing's expertise and the international team that helped develop and build the airplane," said Fancher.

Flight testing will continue in the months ahead. First delivery is planned for the fourth quarter of this year.

News Release Issued: EVERETT, Wash., January 15, 2010 5:28 PM EST/PRNewswire-FirstCall/