Components Delivered for 500th Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Spirit AeroSystems manufactures the forward fuselage section for every Boeing commercial airplane currently in production, including the 787 Dreamliner. (Image courtesy of Spirit AeroSystems.)

Airplane component manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems recently announced the successful delivery of key components for the 500^th Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Spirit manufactures the forward fuselage, along with wing and propulsion components, for all of Boeing’s current commercial airplanes.

787s Since 2007

Spirit AeroSystems has been manufacturing the forward fuselage structure for the 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft began production in 2007. The fully integrated, composite structure section is known as section 41, and it’s built using auto fiber placement machines that wind composite tape into a one-piece fuselage section. The structure is assembled with a proprietary assembly process, Spirit Exact, which uses pre-located holes and automated riveters.

Spirit manufactures its components for the twin-aisle Boeing 787 Dreamliner in several locations. The forward fuselage and engine pylons are manufactured at Spirit’s facility in Wichita, Kansas. The wing fixed leading edge and wing moveable leading edge are produced in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Subang, Malaysia.

Manufacturing Milestones

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner recently hit another milestone, with Qatar Airways placing an order for 30 787-9 Dreamliners as part of one of the largest fleet additions in the airline’s history. Having the components delivered for the 500^th Dreamliner is another big achievement for the aircraft, and Spirit AeroSystems is pleased to be a part of it.

"Reaching 500 is a significant milestone for Spirit, and we look forward to building on this partnership as we continue to deliver high-quality products to Boeing," said Spirit CEO Tom Gentile. “Spirit is extremely proud of our collaboration with Boeing and the work we do together to build the world's fastest-selling twin-aisle airplane, the 787.”

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