MAJOR ASSEMBLY of the first of the new-generation Boeing 737-700s is still scheduled for 1 December, despite a decision by company workers to reject a deal aimed at ending the seven-week strike.
Boeing was optimistic that the 30,000 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers' union would return to work after union leaders endorsed a deal. On 22 November, however, more than 60% voted to continue the strike, which has now lasted more than 50 days.
Despite the continued deadlock with its workforce, Boeing says that the "...target date is still firm" for the start of 737-700 assembly, which involves the laying down of the first wing spar, at the Wing Responsibility Center in Renton, Washington. The first spar will be loaded, mostly by supervisory staff onto a newly developed production tool designed using the same CATIA digital pre-assembly and design system used for the 777.
More than 90% of the final design of the new 737 wing has been released to manufacturing, and definition of the entire aircraft has reached almost 75%. The new wing is 25% larger in area than that of the current 737 and will have a span 5m greater.
Source: Flight International
