>>Australian boy lives out dream of seeing Everett plant
>>
>>By Scott Pesznecker, Herald Writer
>>
>>EVERETT -- When his health took a turn for the worse, Zach Cummings, 14, made a
>>wish from his hospital bed.
>>
>>The Australian boy who dreams of being a pilot wanted to see the Boeing plant.
>>
>>Zach, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, traveled around the world with his
>>family this week for special tours of the Boeing factory and Future of Flight
>>Aviation Center.
>>
>>Made possible by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Zach rode through the mammoth
>>factory on a motorized cart Thursday morning for up-close views of Boeing jets
>>under construction. In the afternoon, he was given a tour of the Future of
>>Flight Museum, including a free ride on the aviation center's flight simulator.
>>
>>It was an amazing day for Zach, an airplane buff who also celebrated his
>>birthday on Thursday.
>>
>>"I'd like to thank all the people for my Make-A-Wish," Zach said.
>>
>>Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and
>>digestive system. Roughly 30,000 people in the United States and 70,000
>>worldwide have been diagnosed with the disease, according to the Cystic Fibrosis
>>Foundation.
>>
>>More at
>>
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080509/NEWS01/843045118&news01ad=1
>>
>>Maybe we can all dig a little deeper next time there is a local CF appeal to try
>>to beat this insidious disease.
>>
>>Ned.
Thanks Stephen...have been away at the Boeing plant myself. No
surprise I'm sure to those who know what a great fan I am of the
company and it's products.
:-^)
Massive manufacturing operation - which includes the 747, 767, 777 and
787 prodn lines in a single building. World's largest building by
volume according to Guinness. 472 million cubic feet. I see the same
"largest" claim recently being made in respect of the new Beijing
airport - no idea how they compare.
"Party Girl" - the Dreamliner which was rolled out with all the
razzmatazz back in July 2007 (in fact 7-8-7 in mdy format) was still
sitting as Number One on the B-787 prodn line, nose to the football
field sized doors, and adjacent to countless hordes crouched over
their computer screens, but clearly not going anywhere anytime soon.
They are obviously some way short of the previously announced target
of three days in final assembly for 787s.
Neither Party Girl or indeed any of the following five or so airframes
will go to customers ...they will be used solely for testing. Some
wings will be tested to destruction - normal practice. And the rest
eventually parted out. These days Boeing doesn't retain aircraft for
sentimental or historic reasons.
IIRC JAL gets airframe No. 7.
Whenever.
Cheers
Ned
