Boeing begins 787 pilot training for launch customer

Published 1:26 pm Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Pilots with 787 launch customer, All Nippon Airways, have started training with Boeing on how to operate the new aircraft.

Boeing expects to deliver the first 787 to ANA in the third quarter after more than three years of delays.

The start of pilot training signals that Boeing is getting closer to delivering the much-anticipated mostly composite 787.

Ten out of 11 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg believe that Boeing will deliver the first 787 in the third quarter, after seven previous delays.

“In the case of the 787 Dreamliner, we’re seeing the results of a special working relationship between Boeing and ANA,” said Sherry Carbary, vice president, Boeing Flight Services. “We worked side by side with ANA for more than four years conducting simulator evaluations, curriculum reviews and cross-training so that each team learned from the other.”

Boeing’s 787 flight training includes using a flight simulator as well as a desktop device. Pilots can be trained to fly the 787 in between five and 20 days. Those with 777 flight experience have the shorter training of five days, due to commonality between the 777 and 787.

“This is a significant milestone for our company,” said Hideyuki Shibuichi, senior vice president of Flight Operations for ANA. “Getting our pilots trained and prepared is essential to being ready to take delivery of the airplane later this year.”

For more on Boeing’s 787 pilot training, read this Herald story. Also, see the Herald’s 787 flight simulator video below.