In Full Flight

Modern Metals Magazine November issue discusses how a "redefined airline industry is universally positive about future growth."

"In Full Flight"
By Lauren Duensing

November 2011- After years of waiting, it’s finally here. On Sept. 26, The Boeing Co., Chicago, celebrated the delivery of the first 787 Dreamliner to All Nippon Airways. The plane aims to redefine the experience of flying with cleaner cabin air, higher humidity, lower cabin altitude, larger windows, electrochromic shades, bigger onboard luggage bins and LED lighting.

In addition to creature comforts, composite materials, advanced aerodynamics and modern engines work together to make the 787 a dream for airlines’ bottom lines.

Competing with composites for these future aircraft designs has caused metals companies to re-engineer products as well as introduce new alloys.

“While the jury is still out on how dramatic the move to composites will be in single-aisle aircraft, the 787 has already impacted the future of aircraft construction in unexpected ways,” says Tom Kennard, president of United Performance Metals, Hamilton, Ohio, a supplier of specialty stainless steel and high-temperature alloys. “One of the storylines has to be the aluminum companies’ response to the threat of composites. A whole new suite of new, lighter weight, stronger aluminum alloys has emerged.”

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