Month: May 2018

Visit to Boeing Factory, Seattle

    • Visited the Boeing Factory in Seattle on 14th May, 2018 with Maahir, Shourya and Purvi.
    • Boeing started in 1916, in Seattle
    • The Boeing factory where they produce the commercial passenger aircrafts is the largest closed enclosure in the world – the factory shed is 98 acres, the size of 75 football fields.
    • At this factory they produce, the 747, 767, 777 and the 787. The factory has a production capacity of 170 aircrafts a year; one 747 every month, and 14 nos of 787s each month. They could produce more, if the engines, which are manufactured by GE and Rolls-Royce are delivered to them faster.
    • How do they number the different models. Say – 747
      • The first 7 stands for the series of commercial passenger aircrafts. The 6 series is for Defence aircrafts, the 5 series for Helicopters, the 1 series for Propeller Aircrafts.
      • The second digit, 4, stands for the model no. As of now, the latest model no. is 8, that corresponds to the 787
      • The third digit is 7… Why? Just because it sounds cool.
      • For the 787, and the 777, they also have 787-7, 787-8, 787-9, and likewise, passenger capacity increasing in the ascending order.
    • The 747 is the largest aircraft, capable of accommodating up to 600 passengers. It’s made up of an aluminum body. The wings hold up to 80,000 liters of fuel, giving it a non stop flying time of 14 hours.
    • The 787, also called as the DreamLiner, is manufactured using a carbon composite fibre, which is lighter than aluminum and stronger than steel. This carbon composite fibre, is more than 50% of the aircraft weight.
    • One 787 can be turned around each day. The components of the 787, are manufactured from countries around the globe, and brought to the Seattle factory, using an aircraft which is called as the DreamLifter. Boeing has 4 DreamLifters.
    • The beauty about how they build the 787, is that everything comes to the factory is modules, which get assembled in to the aircraft is quick time.
    • The 777, is still under testing and has not been delivered to any customer as yet, but Boeing still has many orders and many aircrafts under production. They follow, lean manufacturing techniques, while building this aircraft, which is made up of Aluminum body, and composite fibre. The first aircraft is expected to be delivered in 2020.
    • Once the aircraft is manufactured, Boeing generally does just one internal test flight, before inviting the customer to take one, before the aircraft is delivered.
    • A 747, is typical sold at USD 400 million, without the engines. Engines cost extra.
    Watch this video of how the aircrafts are manufactured at the Boeing factory

    Watching the Sun Set…


    As I watched the Sun set this evening, what struck me was how the rising sun, which brings in so much warmth, energy and sunshine each morning; fades away into oblivion every evening, bringing in a sense of calm and tranquility. The setting sun goes down quietly, with the satisfaction of having completed a hard day’s work, allowing the night to take over ; with the confidence that it will rise again tomorrow, and take charge of a new day, starting afresh with a new beginning.