EVERETT, Wash., Nov. 24, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) is developing minor design changes to power distribution panels on the 787 and updates to the systems software that manages and protects power distribution on the airplane. These changes come as the result of what has been learned from the investigation of an onboard electrical fire on a test airplane, ZA002, earlier this month in Laredo, Texas.

“We have successfully simulated key aspects of the onboard event in our laboratory and are moving forward with developing design fixes,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. “Boeing is developing a plan to enable a return to 787 flight test activities and will present it to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as soon as it is complete.”

Engineers have determined that the fault began as either a short circuit or an electrical arc in the P100 power distribution panel, most likely caused by the presence of foreign debris. The design changes will improve the protection within the panel. Software changes also will be implemented to further improve fault protection.

The P100 panel is one of five major power distribution panels on the 787. It receives power from the left engine and distributes it to an array of systems.

The 787 team is now assessing the time required to complete the design changes and software updates that are being developed. A revised 787 program schedule is expected to be finalized in the next few weeks.

“Our team is focused on developing these changes and moving forward with the flight test program,” said Fancher. “The team in Laredo is also well along in preparing to return ZA002 to Seattle.”

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SEATTLE, Oct. 27 — Boeing and Dubai-based flydubai today celebrated delivery of the first Next-Generation 737 with the new, passenger-inspired Boeing Sky Interior.

“The superior passenger experience of this exciting new interior is the result of many years’ work by Boeing employees and suppliers,” said Beverly Wyse, 737 vice president and general manager. “Our airline customers will draw value from the many practical improvements we have made in the new design.”

Since the Next-Generation 737 was introduced in 1997, customers have taken advantage of continuous improvements to this best-selling airplane that have made it ever more efficient, reliable and passenger-friendly. Boeing Sky Interior is the latest in a series of improvements to the airplane. The next to come will be a package of performance improvements that will reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 2 percent – making the airplane a full 7 percent more efficient than the first Next-Generation 737 delivered. The performance improvements to the airframe and engine are beginning certification test soon, and will be fully in service by early 2012.

With the new 737 Boeing Sky Interior, airlines will welcome their passengers into a cabin featuring modern, sculpted sidewalls and window reveals. The ingenious design of the new, larger stow bins allows them to accommodate even more bags than before, while taking up less space in the cabin. The innovative assist mechanism of the new bins gives easy access, and as they pivot up and out of the way, there is much more headroom around the aisle seats and a greater sense of space in the cabin.

Airlines will select from different lighting schemes that range from a welcoming, soft blue overhead sky simulation to a calm, relaxing, pallet of sunset colors.

LEDs (light emitting diodes) are brighter and replace incandescent signage, attendant and halogen reading lights. With an estimated 40,000 hours between replacements, LEDs last 10 times longer than the previous standard of lights.

Other features that passengers particularly will appreciate are a quieter cabin, intuitive placement of switches and call buttons, and improved sound quality and clarity through new speakers in each passenger row.

“We are very proud to be the first to offer our passengers an enhanced onboard experience with the brand new Boeing Sky Interior,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai. “We have achieved much in our first 16 months of service and will continue to bring our passengers the best product offerings on one of the newest 737 fleets in service.” The airplane, a Next-Generation 737-800, will enter service in November.

A total of 46 airlines and leasing companies have ordered the 737 Boeing Sky Interior for more than 1,200 of their airplanes. flydubai is the first of five airlines that will receive Next-Generation 737s with the new interior this year.