The Boeing Co.’s 787 Dreamliner nabbed a prestigious award from the National Aeronautic Association.
Boeing’s 787 received the 2011 Robert J. Collier Trophy, the company said Tuesday. The association gives the prize to the air or space vehicle that represents the greatest aeronautic achievement in America, the value of which was demonstrated by actual use during the previous year.
“We were very pleased with this year’s slate of nominations – all of them were impressive, inspirational, and innovative and certainly represent the future of aviation and aerospace,” Walter Boyne, NAA chairman and chairman of the selection committee, said in a statement.
Boeing delivered last year its first 787 to Japan’s All Nippon Airways, which put the jet into service in late 2011. The Dreamliner also set two world records in 2011 — one for speed another for distance.
The mostly composite 787 will save airlines roughly 20 percent on fuel costs compared to similarly sized jets.
“It’s not often in a career that we have the chance to make history – to do something big and bold that will change the world in untold ways and endure long after we are gone,” Jim Albaugh, president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said in a statement.
The Collier Award was presented for the first time in 1911. Past winners include Orville Wright and the Neil Armstrong and Apollo 11 Moon mission team. Boeing previously has won the award for several of its airplanes including the 747 and the 777.
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