As new Boeing 787s continue to stack up at Everett and others remain idle around the world, the airframer’s battery crisis is finally coming to a head as the FAA decides on whether to approve a company plan to return the aircraft to the skies. (www.aviationweek.com) More...
Thanks for setting me straight. I am not aware of the ramifications of making the change. Appreciate it. I have been flying 50 years but technology is passing me by.
My prediction: within a month or less, Boeing will solve the problem. They can't afford to postpone a solution. I can't understand their stubborness insisting on not using the same batteries as always until they solve the problem.
I have been driving for 34 - still have no damn clue how the cars work! I think it will be interesting in that you are correct Boeing is a huge employer and tax provider for the country! I applaud the FAA for the grounding - but - at what point does the pressure get to them? It is on both of them equally at this point!
Having worked in an industry heavily dependent on LiIon batteries, I can tell you that a change in battery type at this point would have a ripple effect throughout many aircraft systems that, in turn would need to be modified and re-certified. Examples include
1. The charging system would have to be redesigned for NiCad cells.
2. All load conditions would have to be revisited and shown to operate as before since NiCads do not have the same load or surge capacity. This could impact things such as the flap motors etc.
That means that since the A/C was designed on the premise of availability of the power capacity of LiIon to operate many critical flight systems, a change in battery type would require review if not modification of these systems.
I don’t believe that Boeing is being stubborn; they understand the serious ripple effect of such a change may ground the planes for a very long time indeed.
I have tried to read and keep up on this -- all I can see is they are in a real pickle here! The best / only solution to date is to build a Fire Box to contain any potential issue? What if this is a International Flight - which I have spent the last 20 years making? Uhhhh - no thanks! Am I wrong?
Ev, the other thing I am to understand is that all existing planes (Boeing, AirBus, etc) rely on the Engines to recharge the battery - like a car engine! The 787's entire premise was to have an independent battery system that was not reliant on the engines. This would require a total re-thinking of the design of the aircraft and it's systems?
Again, I am a novice when it comes to these things - someone else can most likely provide a better answer!
In regular aircraft, you have the engines providing power to the plane. The 787 is more dependent on battery power instead of engine power to power many systems, which in turn should lead to better efficiency...sort of like the hybrid concept in the skies.
For example, most commercial aircraft on the ground need external power in order to start their engines. The 787 can start its engines using battery power instead. Boeing cannot change their batteries now because that would involve massive costs in redesigning the plane. For one, using different battery technology would require a design because Li-ion batteries provide the most power/space ratio. Older batteries will weigh more and take more space, and boeing would have to redesign battery compartments to fit new space and taking up more room.
I have no doubt the 787 is/will be still safe to fly on. I have several flights booked this year i am looking forward to taking.
