Boeing expects to make a "go-no go" decision on the launch of its proposed 717-100X regional jet derivative at next month's "special attention meeting" of Commercial Airplanes president Alan Mulally's leadership team, on 7 December.
At the Speednews regional conference in Palm Springs, California, 717 brand management director Richard Wynne expressed cautious optimism. He added that Boeing has booked time at the high speed wind tunnel at NASA Ames, California, in January to test the aerodynamics of the eight-frame shrink aircraft.
"The business case for the shrink is easier. Customers say they want a smaller aircraft," says Wynne who adds that a three point case study justifies the financial impact of launching the derivative.
Non-recurring production costs have been reduced by 40%, while recurring costs, though not as low as Boeing would have liked, have been reduced to "high single figures". These savings are expected between aircraft 200 and 250, when the first 717-100X would probably be produced. In addition, Boeing has evolved business practises "similar to the BAE Systems approach", which will allow it to make money in deals with relatively smaller operators and for smaller numbers of aircraft.
Wynne adds the 717-100X is a top priority for the leadership team, along with the launch of the 747X. "The decision on the 717-100X is harder because Boeing has never built a regional jet before with less than 100 seats," he adds.
Low speed wind tunnel tests on the 86-seater design "verify that no significant aerodynamic changes were required". Production of the present 106-seat -200 model is due to accelerate from 3.8 to 5.2 per month in March 2001, and could go up to 6.6 per month.
Wynne denies reports that Boeing is discussing a joint regional aircraft development with Bombardier, although "we have had discussions over collaborating on after market services".
Source: Flight International