infrastructure. Talking of electronics, the
Dreamliner has been designed with a
state-of-the-art, fully electronic
architecture, which through the
replacement of all bleed air and
hydraulic power sources w ith electrically
powered compressors and pumps,
extracts as much as 35 per cent less power
from its engines at any one time. Further,
a new electrothermal w ing ice protection
system – with moderate heater mats
located on w ing slats – improves de-icing
levels and consistenc y signifi cantly,
again boosting aerodynamic
performance. Wing lift performance is
also improved thanks to the adoption of
raked w ingtips, which reduce the thrust
needed by the engines.
These effi ciencies combine with the
heart of the Dreamliner: its t w in
next-generation, high-bypass turbofan
engines. Two engine models are used on
the 787 – both the General Electric GEn x
and Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 – eachdelivering a ma ximum thrust of 280
kilonewtons (64,000 pounds force) and
a cruise speed of Mach 0.85 (1,041
kilometres/647 miles per hour). Both
engines are designed with lightweight
composite blades, a swept-back fan and
small-diameter hub to maximise airfl ow
and high-pressure ratio – the latter, when
complemented by contra-rotating spools,
improving effi ciency signifi cantly.
Finally, both engines are compatible
with the Dreamliner’s noise-reducing
nacelles, duct covers and air-inlets.
Indeed, the engines are so advanced that
they are considered to be a two-
generation improvement over any other
commercial passenger jet.
As such, contrary to initial
appearances, the Dreamliner is really a
wolf in sheep’s clothing, delivering
standard-bearing improvements, along
with a vast list of incremental ones –
including energy-saving LED-only
lighting – that make it one of the mostadvanced and future-proofed jets in our
skies today. A nd you know what is most
exciting? Judging by Boeing’s current
substantial backlog of sales, there is a
high probability that you will be fl ying
on one of these mighty machines
yourself in the ver y-near f uture.Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Crew: 2
Length: 57m (186ft)
Wingspan: 60m (197ft)
Height: 17m (56ft)
Max weight:
228,000kg (502,500lb)
Cruise speed:
1,041km/h (647mph)
Max range:
15,200km (9,440mi)
Max altitude:
13,100m (43,000ft)
Powerplant: 2 x General Electric
GEnx / Rolls-Royce Trent 1000The statistics...
More than 50 companies have worked on the 787,
each connected v ir tually at 135 sites worldw ideA General Electric GEn x
high-bypass turbofan jet engine,
one of two used on the Dreamliner787 cabin layouts can be split into one of three
© Boeingconfigurations, prioritising capacit y or class divisions © Boeing© Boeing© Oliver CleynenDID YOU KNOW? The Boeing 787 consumes 20 per cent less fuel than the similarly sized 767