Boeing 787 Flies Again

Boeing's changes to the 787 batteries have been accepted by the FAA.  The battery changes include a containment box, and venting outside the aircraft.  In-use batteries and controllers will be replaced.

Lithium ion batteries have a history of overheating.  By their nature of having high power density, the batteries can be dangerous.  Relying on these batteries for the 787, instead of proven older technology batteries, was a risk that was not needed to achieve most of the airplane design benefits.

With two onboard 787 fires this year, Boeing's estimate for battery mean time to failure was radically incorrect.  These changes are designed to protect life after a problem, not to prevent the problem.  I won't feel comfortable flying a plane with this technology for years - if ever.

The problem of lithium-ion batteries overheating is not new, and consumer groups and the aviation safety communities have long been concerned. Battery packs contain cells that sometimes contain microscopic metal pieces, which can become overheated when they come into contact with other components.

UA, $198, 5.1 cents per mile

United Airlines
$197.60
3,858 miles
4 segments
5.39 cents per mile
5.12 cents per mile with Premier minimums

Decent fares from Florida to Colorado.  While this is a same day itinerary, overnights are also available.  Miami (MIA) has similar fares.

TPA-DEN-MSY-IAH-TPA

A few years ago, United Airlines brewed decaffeinated coffee.  For the past few years they used Starbucks Via, a nasty instant decaffeinated coffee.  The brewed Starbucks coffee tasted as expected.  Last summer, due to a person on United's board of directors, the coffee brand changed to Kova.  The Kova instant decaffeinated coffee is nasty.

Boeing 787 Grounds United Flights

United Airlines, along with other airlines, had plans to run the mid-size, long-range, and fuel-efficient Boeing 787 on direct routes that would allow higher revenue and higher margins.  With Boeing unable to find the root cause of the battery issues, airlines are forced to delay the new routes.


Boeing 787 grounding puts cities in costly holding pattern
In early December, Japan Airlines started direct Dreamliner service four times a week between San Diego and Tokyo. It was a major coup for San Diego to establish the direct service to Japan. To make it happen, the San Diego Airport committed $750,000 in marketing support and discounted landing fees for JAL at an estimated cost savings of $351,000.
Two weeks after the Dreamliner grounding, JAL resumed direct flights to San Diego using Boeing 777 planes in its fleet.
...
Because the Dreamliner is smaller than other long-haul wide body planes like the 777 or 747, it is particularly well suited to connect midsize cities that may not be able to generate enough traffic to consistently fill a larger plane. It's the reason so many airlines are attracted to the Dreamliner. Opening new long-haul routes in new cities is one way airlines plan to grow revenue over the next 10-20 years.


Pictures of some of the marketing support provided by the San Diego airport:

Firefighting On Planes

With a focus on the Boeing 787 batteries, this article discusses firefighter training and response.  Of important note is the difficulty of accessing the larger Airbus 380.

Fighting Fire on the Runway

"The goal is to provide a means of egress," he said. "They might be all foamed up when we're done, but they'll be alive."


Airplanes burn quickly, especially if fires are fed by jet fuel from engines and ruptured tanks.


Among issues for firefighters: A standard 24-foot ladder isn't enough to get on top of the wing of an A380, so should trucks carry 34-foot ladders that require extra manpower? What if booms on trucks can't reach the top of the three-story cabin to break through and spray foam?
"Everything is twice as challenging on the A380," said Alan Black, head of DFW's Department of Public Safety.


Firefighters used hand-held thermal imaging cameras to find a softball-sized heat signature, according to Chief Donahue.