Boeing 787 Dreamliner launch customer All Nippon Airways (ANA) today began training for its flight crew who will operate the aircraft.

Ten pilots from the Star Alliance carrier are taking part in the first training programme conducted by Boeing Training & Flight Services, which is scheduled to be completed on 17 May.

The airline aims for about 80 pilots to be trained to operate the 787 this fiscal year, which ends on 31 March 2012.

The pilot will train using Boeing's simulators and flight training software, says ANA. "The high degree of commonality between the cockpits of the Dreamliner and the Boeing 777, which is already in use in the ANA fleet, will assist in making the training program more efficient," it adds.

The airline expects to receive its first 787 in the third quarter of this year, after several delays to first delivery. ANA has 55 787s on order.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news