Data furnished by Boeing since last week reveals just how thin is the margin for error for completing the compressed 787 flight test schedule on time for a mid-May delivery to launch customer All Nippon Airways.

In light of this and the recent delays to the first flight we're asking whether people believe Boeing can still honour their pledge to deliver the first 787 by May 2008?

Our poll shows the majority of users think this is unlikely to have a happy ending, but what do you think?

Have your say ...

A whole raft of issues here for Boeing, radical design, innovative materials, new cockpit with quite radical technology for Boeing, it's a mystery why they keep the yoke as a control tool.

Thats without QC issues they have caused in failing in bringing together numerous third party suppliers who Boeing privately say have under performed, most suppliers respond with the claim that delays are caused by the lack of due diligence by Boeing.

This bird is unlikely to fly in 2007 if it does it will be token media style flights only perhaps with no significant test value. Condensing the test programe into what will eventually be less than five months with the airframes available is impossible, the sooner Boeing bites the bullet on this the better.

As for the media launch circus/fiasco with the 7th August 2007 (787) ask 787 engineering what they think of Boeing marketing/media launch inititives it's likely to very colourful and totally un-printable.

So thinking this safely through, one Jananese Airline is polishing up its abacus and opening it's compensation book, right now.......    

One of the main reasons given for the delay is manufacturers being given wrong instructions of how to build and tool up for supplied components