Boeing details comprehensive 787 battery fix

Thanks TechGuru.

In the period before the new ATWOnline format, I recall writing that, despite my own fervent wish (shared by many of us) for the discovery of the root cause, I had begun to feel that Boeing were, in reality, committed to Li-ion, as they seemed to be "locked into a wider electrical architecture" throughout the B787 aircraft.

I had written that for Boeing, there "appeared to be no turning back", .... as had been the possibility for Airbus on the A350-XWB.

Like many, if not most, I had hoped that there would at least be a permanent solution, based on the certain knowledge of the root cause.

Like you, I am now beginning to doubt that. I do not doubt the sincerity of the FAA & NTSB's wishes "to get to the bottom of this battery problem", and to solve it with a remedy founded on and "drilled into" the root cause !

But I am wondering if they are going to be able translate this will into concrete action !

Let's just say it ! It may be time it was said, instead of beating about the bush.
What follows is in no way intended to offend !

The more one thinks about this, the more the Boeing battery solution proposed here seems ridiculous, preposterous !

Come on ! Boeing should be encouraged to do better !

No-one is trying to do them down here ! We want those aircraft up in the air flying ....... safely !

A perception “out there” (perhaps, … or PROBABLY wrong ! ) is that, if the Boeing & Airbus positions had been reversed, & Airbus had been in this situation, cohorts of Boeing Cheer Leaders and Supporters would have been mocking at Airbus, dancing on the table and tearing Airbus to shreds !

A few may have offered patronising condolences ! Even less would have been supportive of Airbus.

LET'S NOT EVEN GET INTO ALL THAT !
Let's not make odious assumptions.

But it may Be a fair bet that the American Authorities would be uneasy and unwilling to certify an Airbus Aircraft with such a "luxury-band-aid-cum-venting" fix !

And, as a European, I would say that the American Authorities would be RIGHT ! I, for one, would support them ! Yes ; definitely !

The good news is that :
-- Airbus does not want to see Boeing harmed, or long-wounded by this situation ;
-- the clients are supportive ;
-- no-one is gloating against Boeing, and / or wishing Boeing ill !

People are genuinely concerned for Boeing in their plight, and CONFIDENT that Boeing can “SET IT RIGHT” !

That is a hugely positive start !
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However, MOST people seem to want discovery of the root cause, respect of the rules, observance of a decent code of business & engineering behaviour, and no cutting of corners and / or circumventing of the legitimately rigorous positions of the Authorities, as they defend the integrity of aircraft and the safety of all actually or potentially concerned !

That seems fair !
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What if it takes 12 to 15, or even 18 months to undo, re-do & get right ? Come on !

If IAG & LOT & probably the whole of the oneworld Alliance are already willing to envisage end October / beginning of November, 2013.... as a resumption date for commercial flights, we are almost half way there, in terms of the calendar !

OK ! It hurts Boeing, ... but they will get over it !

USA are going to "save Private Boeing" ! Good Soldier Boeing is not going to be allowed to go down the tubes !

If USA can save GM, they can save Boeing !
We know a lot is at stake here ! We are not dumb !
But this thing is far bigger than the ego of a bunch of Corporate leaders & Wall Street Bean Counters !

Can’t Boeing just bite the bullet, back-track, and come forward again without any crap about “containment” as a key driver here ! We don’t want the “I believe & I am confident” approach !

We need the “can do”, “will do” & “ just do it” approach ! That is just plain common sense ! There is nothing of genius in that !

But there’s far too much hogwash & B-S in the approach of : “I’ve got a super-duper magic box !”

The key drivers must include, frankness, honesty, engineering ethics, root-cause identification, and the aiming at a permanent solution for the safety of all !