Boeing South Carolina has gained federal approval to produce 787 aircraft following a successful audit by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The North Charleston, South Carolina final assembly line, which rolled out its first aircraft in late April, is now listed on Boeing's production certificate along with the approval for the primary 787 assembly line in Everett, Washington.
"This is a very exciting day for Boeing South Carolina, the South Carolina Interiors Responsibility Centre, and Boeing Commercial Airplanes," says Jack Jones, Boeing South Carolina vice president and general manager. "Earning the right to join the production certificate is a significant achievement that validates Boeing South Carolina as a producer of commercial airplanes that meet the FAA's requirements and Boeing's high standards."
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| ©JOHN CROFT |
| An Air India 787-8 during final assembly in North Charleston |
Boeing says the production certificate follows an "extremely successful" FAA manufacturing inspection district office (MIDO) audit that validated North Charleston's compliance with the Boeing quality management system.
"Our challenge now is to improve even more on our abilities, knowledge, and skill that were so favourably acknowledged during the audit," says Jones. "I believe we will do just that, because of the personal ownership and accountability of the Boeing South Carolina team."
The facility has not yet delivered its first production 787 to Air India, a handover that was expected to occur some time in June.
"The airplane is progressing well," says a Boeing spokesman. "We'll let our customers announce their own delivery timing."
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
