Aircraft
Pivotal Period for Boeing as Civil Programs Progress On Cue
Boeing Commercial Airplanes v-p of airplane development Scott Fancher issued an upbeat assessment of all of the company's big development programs.
A Rolls-Royce-powered 787-9 test airplane stands parked at Seattle's Boeing Field following a round of function and reliability testing. (Photo: Gregory Polek)
A Rolls-Royce-powered 787-9 test airplane stands parked at Seattle's Boeing Field following a round of function and reliability testing. (Photo: Gregory Polek)

Characterizing the Boeing 777X program as “stable” and the 787-9 as “lighter than projected,” Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of airplane development Scott Fancher issued an upbeat assessment of virtually all he surveys during press briefings at the company’s Everett, Washington, facilities on Tuesday. Estimates cited by Fancher suggest that aircraft under development right now will account for more than half of the company’s commercial airplane sales over the next two decades, meaning the very future of the Boeing division rests on the successful execution of program goals today and in the coming few years. According to Fancher, the market has already spoken and “loudly” in support of Boeing’s approach and execution.