Dan Rather Reports - Boeing 787 composite concerns (2 of 4)

[davetileguy]

All you environmentalists should be happy ! less fuel !

[crockett616]

bitch got annoying voice

[palebit]

the airlines are complaining? no it's the fucking CEOs of the airlines who want their 'bottom line' any educated pilot / flight attendant / passenger does not want to fly on a composite aircraft.

[PMAN365]

we wont know the truth until one of these birds falls out of the sky, although the massive delays are evidence that there are problems, they said its going into service in 08... but its 09 and that cocksucker hasnt even flown yet

[italianluvah83]

Well getting struck by lightening sounds like fun in the new 787 lol

[GoogleEqualsEvil]

That article is on the Discovery Channel blog about NASA's 50th Anniversary. Besides his Design and Engineering expertise, the most notable point is his ethics that are in full evidence. He obviously has a long record of not only excellence in Design and Engineering, but of exceptional professionalism and the highest ethical standards.

[GoogleEqualsEvil]

I would encourage anyone who wants to know a little more about Mr. Weldon's background to look up "Vincent A. Weldon NASA article". In his response to the article he outlines a small fraction of some of his Aerospace and Structural design and engineering accomplishments on Aircraft/Spacecraft (including Apollo and the Shuttle). Which included some of the first structural composite design and engineering (Shuttle Aft Fuselage) with a variety of then exotic materials like Titanium and Beryllium.

[GoogleEqualsEvil]

Good points tjp353. It's hard for me to understand why so many people choose to be stupid, or are deaf, or don't understand English. Mr. Weldon never said graphite based composites shouldn't be used in aircraft. What he IS saying, is that there are serious issues unrelated to their proven good properties (like strength / stiffness vs. weight). Like their lack of toughness, which is a materials ability to deform and absorb impact. Obviously that would have a serious effect on crashworthiness.

[LILBRAZ]

Wow!! Capitalizm is all about money? Wow! This was soooo informational!

[eyesac321]

capitolism is all about money, but the airlines should be about safety

[RexBanner1980]

Do you people seriously think that Boeing has spent years developing this plane and not thought about all these problems? Its future depends on this aircraft, you'd better believe that they will make it as safe as possible, anything goes wrong with the 787 and they are finished. They know that.

[tjp353]

RexBanner1980. Safety, reliability and survivability play a big part in the design of any aircraft but when a highly qualified, very experienced, veteran Boeing design engineer (and his collegues) voice serious concerns over the safety of the 787 we should take them very seriously. These people wouldn't risk their careers in this manner if no problems existed. Also, Boeing would never publically admit to any 787 design weakness.

It looks like Airbus will be affected too with the A350.

[GoogleEqualsEvil]

Well said, and very true. Mr. Weldon was in fact fired by Boeing over this. When he was fired he was the Director of New Technology and Research. I'm reluctant to use the word genius in reference to anyone, but it may fit Mr. Weldon in regard to Aerospace Design and Engineering. He has a long and proven history of innovation and problem solving regarding a wide variety of Aerospace and Structural Engineering issues. I also agree that Boeing would never publically admit to any design problems.

[RexBanner1980]

Total Bollocks. I see in the news at the moment there are composite bizjet aircraft crashing every week. Oh no sorry thats in your imagination isnt it? This isnt new technology as you know, not by a long shot, its just the first time its been used large scale in an airliner. Big f*cking deal.

[MokomaSusi]

Dont worry. There is always people who hate/fear new technology...

[tjp353]

MokomaSusi. You said -

"Dont worry. There is always people who hate/fear new technology..."

...And who would they be?

Having worked on planes that contain large ammounts of carbon fibre composites (Harrier 2, Typhoon) I can assure you I certainly don't 'hate/fear new technology'.

Can you answer why Mr Weldon (an extremely experienced engineer and dedicated Boeing employee) would rather speak out and lose his job - instead of keeping quiet about safety problems he saw in the 787's design?

[tjp353]

RexBanner. How many airliners are currently in service than have fuselages built solely from CFC? How long have they been in service?

Since Mr Weldon's concerns regard crashworthiness - the ability to protect passengers during/ after potentially survivable crashes, and the effects of age/ wear & tear on composite planes, your example is totally irrelevant. CFC/GFRP is not new but it's previously only been used on mainly aluminium airliners. It's too early to know if his concerns are valid.

[concerned00citizen]

Why doesn't he mention NAMES of the Congresspersons responsible? CONGRESS is responsible for spending bills. CONGRESS makes the laws and the bills are paid when CONGRESS says pay. CONGRESS made Prez the dictator.

[layton59]

My Gosh, the fox is guarding the hen house. The fox is The FAA with Boeing, and the hens at risk are the flying public.

Disinigration on a hard landing-crash. Lightning in the air not dispersed. Copper mesh corruption of the skin. Yikes the 787 is one scary plane. Time will expose all.