Release #05.036
September 1, 2005
Pilots: Boeing 787 Flight Deck Holds Powerful Safety Advancements
Decades-long Partnership Between Pilots, Aircraft Manufacturer and its Suppliers Enhances Aviation Safety
SEATTLE, WA -- The Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight deck “serves as an extraordinary example of collaboration between pilots, the aircraft manufacturer, and its suppliers to design the safest and most efficient aircraft possible,” according to the president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l., Capt. Duane E. Woerth.
“Boeing involved ALPA’s aviation safety experts from the very start of the design process,” Woerth said. “The Dreamliner flight deck provides pilots with easy access to unprecedented amounts of information and air transportation is safer than ever as a result.”
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight deck, unveiled at a Seattle news conference this week, reflects years of collaboration between Boeing and ALPA’s engineering and air safety experts at the world’s largest pilots union.
“Because pilots were so involved in the design development, the Dreamliner gives them the information they need, exactly how and when they want it,” said ALPA Executive Air Safety Chairman Capt. Terry McVenes. “This flight deck is proof-positive that the earlier the pilots who will fly an aircraft are involved in its design, the greater the opportunity to improve safety, security and efficiency.”
Among the Boeing 787 features that ALPA pilots and safety experts particularly welcome are:
Vertical situation display--provides improved situational awareness, especially during the approach phase of flight
Auto speed brake retraction--streamlines crew workload during critical situations
Virtual circuit breakers--a touch screen provides a coordinated operation between prescribed emergency procedures and required circuit breaker manipulation
Electronic flight bag--flight deck tools that increase situational awareness, especially during ground operations
Cockpit environment--Boeing has responded to ALPA’s concerns regarding the need to create a pilot-friendly cockpit environment, particularly during long-haul flights
“In addition to pilots, airline operators will also benefit from the Dreamliner’s greater operational flexibility and reduced maintenance costs,” added Woerth. “The new Boeing 787 reflects lessons learned from aircraft design throughout history to everyone’s benefit.”
“Pilots have asked for this type of flight deck innovation for years and, thanks to Boeing, we now have it in the Dreamliner,” concluded McVenes. “We hope that all aircraft manufacturers will recognize the clear benefit of a collaborative approach to aircraft design.”
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing 64,000 pilots at 41 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.
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ALPA CONTACT: John Mazor or Linda Shotwell, 703-481-4440, media@alpa.org