Boeing's 787 prototype ZA003 made a fly-past over engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce's Derby, UK factory following its departure from the show. R-R supplied the aircraft's Trent 1000 turbofan engines.

The low-level fly past was Boeing's tribute to the work carried out on the new aircraft by British companies.

The UK aerospace industry is playing a key role in the state-of-the-art, global collaborative programme to deliver this innovative aircraft. The programme is creating new skills and generating novel manufacturing and maintenance processes as well as enhancing competitiveness for Britain. It is also creating new partnerships and secure involvement throughout the lifetime of the programme with British industry.

Overall, there will be a multi-billion pound benefit to the UK from the 787 programme, more so than any other Boeing programme.

Ian Godden, chairman of ADS, said: "The Dreamliner is a terrific aircraft and the British aerospace industry is proud of its major contribution to the programme. With Rolls-Royce engines alongside contributions from other world-leading UK-based companies 25% of the plane by value is made in Britain.

"The UK is number one in Europe and second only to the US globally in civil aerospace. Our technical expertise in manufacturing and services in aerospace is known throughout the world and this is endorsed by the key roles being played in the 787 Dreamliner programme by a number of leading UK companies.

"We are delighted to welcome the Dreamliner to the UK for the first time and we are certain that our colleagues from Boeing and their suppliers will enjoy a successful Farnborough International Airshow 2010."

UK participation in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is summarised as follows: composites - GKN and Ultra Electronics at Luton and Greenford; aerodynamics - Qinetiq in Farnborough using one of only three large-scale pressurised windtunnels in the world; engine and nacelle systems - Rolls-Royce, based in Derby, and Goodrich in Wolverhampton.

Elements of the fuel system are being manufactured by Eaton Aerospace in Bournemouth and Claverham in Bristol. Seating is by B/E Aerospace in Newry and Ipeco in Southend-on-Sea. Training and simulation is by the Alteon facility in Crawley.

The simulators are being built in Crawley by Thales UK, the landing gear by Messier-Dowty, AMRC and GE Aviation plus companies such as Corus in Sheffield. Control surfaces are manufactured in Wolverhampton, electronics and computing in Cheltenham by GE Aviation, Systems division.

Bringing a European dimension, Alenia's British suppliers on the 787 include Aeromet, RTI UK, Cytec and All Metal Service.

Source: Flight Daily News

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