[nightdriver]

"He said the B787 -- to have its first test flight in 2007 -- was chosen because of the price of the aircraft as well as the technology, fuel efficiency and the distance a B787 would fly."

Boeing sure has a lot committed to the success of this plastic 787. I hope they are analysing the heck out of the aerodynamics and structure.

I see big potential problems with electrical aspects of the carbon-fiber composite and those thin (and more flexible) outer wings could have some surprising (and catastrophic) flutter characteristics.

[Knuckledragger]

I attended the 747-8 kickoff yesterday. Hard orders for 18 and many options for more.

The A380 may be larger, but the 747 is still Queen of the Skies. What an elegant (however long in the tooth) aircraft. The new GEnx engines (Airbus A350 flavor w/bleed air) will certainly help in the efficiency dept.

As for Boeing kicking Airbuzz's butt, keep in mind this is the first year Boeing's order book has exceeded Airbus's in the last several.

[Jorge]

I see big potential problems with electrical aspects of the carbon-fiber composite and those thin (and more flexible) outer wings could have some surprising (and catastrophic) flutter characteristics.

I thought carbon-fiber composites were already being used in existing large commercial aircraft, specifically in the wings.... and even more extensively used in smaller aircraft.

[ShawTaylor]

Boeing sure has a lot committed to the success of this plastic 787.

No more than Airbus has riding on the "albatross" of the air Airbis 380.
At least they haven't done postponement after postponement like Airbus keeps doing on the 380 every few months.