EVERETT, Wash., 31 Dec. 2008 The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the Boeing 787 Dreamliner's scheduled maintenance program.
The scheduled maintenance program defines the maintenance tasks and intervals operators will use to maintain the 787 and is documented in the 787 Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR). The report was accepted by the Maintenance Review Board, an FAA organization composed of specialists who review and accept maintenance requirements. This MRBR approval from the FAA is one of the many requirements needed for airplane certification.
"The MRBR approval is a result of the most comprehensive maintenance program development effort in the history of the industry," says Mike Fleming, 787 director of Services and Support at Boeing. "It is supported by more than 33,000 pages of supporting analysis, as well as the participation of eight regulatory agencies, 25 airlines and 30 suppliers and partners."
Boeing designed the 787 to be 30 percent less expensive to maintain than any comparable product. This savings is largely due to the 787 advanced design, the wide use of composite structure and the highly integrated systems architecture, which allow for fewer maintenance tasks and longer intervals between tasks, company officials say.
"The 787 maintenance program is one important aspect that ensures the continued airworthiness of the 787 while reducing overall maintenance burden on the operator," says Justin Hale, 787 chief mechanic. "This program will enable significant operational efficiencies for airlines that fly the 787."
By requiring less maintenance less often than comparably sized jets, the 787 will be more available for revenue service, leading to significant financial and scheduling opportunities for airlines, Boeing officials say.
