May 16 2007
Goodrich Corporation has delivered its first set of Boeing 787 Dreamliner thrust reversers to be installed on Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines used in the 787 flight test program scheduled to begin later this year.
Goodrich shipped the thrust reversers from its Chula Vista, Calif. site, which also performed final assembly, to a Rolls-Royce engine facility in Derby, UK. Goodrich's team in Chula Vista is building the thrust reversers and nacelle systems for both engine options offered on the 787, the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 and the General Electric GEnx. Goodrich will manufacture nacelles and thrust reversers for six flight test airplanes - three for each engine type - as well as a spare set for each engine variant.
Several additional Goodrich sites across the U.S. are also involved in this delivery milestone. The company's Riverside, Calif. facility manufactures the thrust reverser inner fixed structures, the engine system exhaust nozzles are manufactured by Goodrich's San Marcos, Texas facility and final assembly of the nacelle's inlet cowl will occur at the company's newest facility -- Goodrich Aerostructures Integration Services -- located near the Boeing 787 final assembly plant in Everett, Wash.
"This has been a remarkable program with unprecedented accomplishments. We've delivered more complex technology at a faster pace than ever before. To get to today's milestone, we delivered more than 30 test components," said Dave Castagnola, Goodrich Aerostructures Vice President of Boeing Programs. "Today's milestone is all the more satisfying because we were challenged to simultaneously design and develop nacelle systems for both engine variants - an industry first. Our attention is now focused on our continuous improvement tools which will allow us to meet our delivery and scheduling commitments while ensuring we support certification requirements, flight test and full-up production."
"We are pleased to join Goodrich in celebrating the delivery of the first 787 thrust reversers. This is a notable accomplishment and part of the steady stream of achievements we are seeing as the first airplane starts to come together," said Ron Hinderberger, leader of the Boeing propulsion team for the 787 Dreamliner. "You can't help but feel that aviation history is in the making."
Goodrich will also continue to supply engine hardware for the on-going 787 ground test programs that started last year. Ground testing of the Rolls-Royce engines is occurring at Rolls-Royce's test facility in Derby and testing for the GEnx is taking place at a GE facility in Peebles, Ohio.
In addition to the nacelles and thrust reversers, Goodrich Corporation has a broad range of technology which will fly on this innovative aircraft. Goodrich Corporation supplies the: flight deck lighting system; cabin attendant seating; cargo system; wheels and electric braking system; exterior lighting; proximity sensing system; as well as the fuel quantity indicating system and fuel management software. In addition, Goodrich has been selected by Rolls-Royce to provide the engine control system and sensor suite for the Trent 1000 engine.
Furthermore, as the Dreamliner enters service, Goodrich's global component support network and maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities are being equipped to provide the aftermarket services necessary to keep the aircraft in the skies.