Boeing makes 747-8 program management change

By Geoffrey Thomas | August 31, 2010

747-800F first flight. Photo: Courtesy, Boeing.

Boeing removed VP and GM-747 Program Mo Yahyavi from his post as speculation mounted that the 747-8 freighter's first delivery will be delayed again.

VP and GM-Airplane Programs Pat Shanahan told employees in an internal communication cited by the Seattle Times that he will take over direct supervision of shepherding the 747-8F and 747-8 Intercontinental to EIS while Yahyavi takes on "a special assignment." The first 747-8F is destined for launch customer Cargolux, with delivery scheduled for the fourth quarter.

Boeing has already twice delayed the program owing largely to overtaxed engineering; the first freighter was originally supposed to be delivered during the 2009 fourth quarter. The 747-8F achieved first flight in February (ATW Daily News, Feb. 9). Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh has hinted that delivery of the 747-8F may slip into next year owing to a series of nagging problems affecting the flight test program. Yahyavi took charge of the program in February.

Boeing additionally appointed Elizabeth Lund to the role of deputy program manager for the 747-8. She will report directly to Shanahan.

The manufacturer last week confirmed that first delivery of the 787 won't occur until the 2011 first quarter (ATW Daily News, Aug. 30).

Discuss this news 8

31 Aug00:54

Sir, I feel sorry for Boeing,

By rsal

Sir,
I feel sorry for Boeing, it is completely falling down, nothing going as planned. Boeing loosing her credibility among her customers day after day. I think there is a gap between top management and down level workers.
Is this the end of airplane industry in USA.
Hope not.
Regards
rsal

31 Aug01:14

As a long time Boeing

By by Jim

As a long time Boeing Shareholder, 20 years +, it is so sad to see my company issue regrets, apologies to clients, as well as as the public, for its ad nuseum 787 delays.
Must be the Chicago air.
Not that any of us were consulted about the move from from Seattle to Chicago, but then Management, in bed at the time, did not have Shareholders in mind at the moment of orgasm.......
Or Employees, to say the least. Shame on these animals.
We know who they are.
Nothing but a litany of woes, and faint apologies, for all Commercial Programs, 787, 747-8, and now we're blaming delays on Rolls-Royce, for power plant failure ??
Sounds suspiciciously like Lockheed, RB-211 powerplant problems, ala TriStar production.
Wake up people, we've been down this road before.
Chicago air, many miles from manufacturing base, is not a good thing. So out of touch with everything, a Classic joke among corporations, textbook, about what not to do.
I welcome your Comments
J. Herrera
Asturian52@aol.com

31 Aug01:54

Boeing issues, What I find

By Dinant van den Belt

Boeing issues,

What I find interresting as an interested outsider, is the reasons Boeing is mentioning when explaining their delays in both 787 and 747 programs,
What strikes me, is that they always blame another: hence,
- Fastener problem: cause by supplier
- Trent 1000 motor: blame RR
- Structural integrety (wrinkle issue): blame Alenia
- Strike: blame the unions
There will be more examples, but I think Boeing has a serious issue internally. I can and will not speculate about the causes as I'm only looking as an interesting bystander, but if you appoint someone in February and subsequenly replace him within half a year, I would call this a panic reaction.
I would recommend Boeing to first get internally organised, suppliers will be puzzled and supprised by every reshuffle. For the time being it looks like e.g. the 787 program turned from the quickest selling aeroplane into the aeroplane with the quickest canceling rate.

31 Aug01:54

Boeing issues, What I find

By Dinant van den Belt

Boeing issues,

31 Aug02:51

Asturian, I couldn't have put

By Anonymous

Asturian, I couldn't have put it any better myself! You have spoken the truth! I must add that, as an aviation enthusiast and a fan of Boeing since my childhood years I am totally disappointed & at the same time upset because of Boeing's performance with the 787 & 747-8 programs. There is absolutely nothing credible they could say that would make us pardon their obscured image.

31 Aug03:01

It comes up to Boeing takes

By NW

It comes up to Boeing takes too many things for granted. It seems that things are not thought through in advance considering that soooo many issues cropped up afterwards for the 787 program, toooo many unforeseen issues....Boeing's credibility is at stake...

15 Sep12:48

Hi Ernesto Schimmer, Here. I

By Ernest M. Schimmer

Hi Ernesto Schimmer, Here. I read where the
Boeing 747-8 and the Boeing B7478F will be delayed even More. What I see is the B-747-8 has been completed on the front
half of the aircraft. is ready for passenger
service. Well, what I would do is
complete that back half to carry cargo for
upper deck all cargo service.
When I was the Manager in LAX for GARUDA
INDONSESIA. "GA" 1966-1968. Yes, we leased a B747-M from SAA. What ever the
passenger load was, we would We then would MAX out the aircraft for full Revenue
load. The flight was between LAX-HNL (GAS)
on to JKT. 100 percent Revenue.. We even a\
engine or to. fantastic.
I know that there are many Airlines out there
that would be interested in a B747 "COMBI. An Aircraft to handle both Passenger/Cargo (Upper Deck) Cargo...
As noted before, KL/AF still using the B747MCombi. KLM pulled a number Full Freighters and kept there Boeing B747-M
"Combi" Flying and yes from LAX to KLM
OH..well just my opinion. The All Freighter
Companies do not mind. Ernesto is still around and will be 85 yearsold this Xmas

14 Dec05:45

send the 787 and the 747 8

By humpty dumty

send the 787 and the 747 8 next door to the history of flight & START AGAIN