Noon Tomorrow

To day we went down to Paine Field where the Boeing factory is located and went on the factory tour. We saw the assembly of line of three different aircraft currently being build there. The most amazing was the new 787 Dreamliner. There were four on the line in various stages of completion. They expected to have the first one in the air by the end of this year but due to the recent strike it won't be flying until late 2009. They have over 800 orders for the 787. The plane is assembled from four sections which arrive at the factory as completed parts. The sections are made of light weight composites. Two of the sections are fabricated in Japan and flown over in a special 747 named the Dreamlifter. As we were returning to the visitor center the plane was just landing and the bus had to take a different route. I was able to grab a picture as it taxied back. When the 787 line is up and running they will be able to complete a plane in just 3 days!

After the tour we dropped by to check on the Horizon repair progress. Dave said it was being painted and on schedule to be picked up noon tomorrow. The painter was putting on the three different colors first and then just before going home he'll put on the clear coat.