The first Boeing 787
delivery is still months away, but the new plane is already threatening to cause
flight delays.
The Federal Aviation
Administration has been thinking about the new jet, and they’re a little
concerned that it might just be too fast and powerful. They’ve put out new guidelines regarding how closely other aircraft can
follow the new plane, as they’re concerned that the big wings and big
engines of the 787 will shake up the air in front of the planes waiting on the
runway.
Right now planes like
the 747-400 have a four-mile separation requirement, but the new 787 is getting a ten-mile rule.
It’s not just one plane either, as Boeing’s latest version of the 747 — the
747-8 — is also subject to the new rules.
The FAA just wants to
ensure that the new airplanes aren’t bullying smaller jets and older aircraft
on the runway. Right now it’s just an interim thing while the planes go through
testing, but if the restriction sticks
it could be an issue as planes are forced to lineup on the runway.
The
FAA might just be taking a conservative approach at this point, as even the Airbus A380 doesn’t require a
ten-mile spacing. Boeing is already chatting with the FAA about this new
guideline, as they realize this spacing could cause some of their customers to
be not so happy.
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