Published April 2002

Aerospace Briefs

Local companies awarded for quality work
Three Snohomish County companies recently received recognition for work they’ve done for the Boeing Co. during the past year.

Bucher Aerospace Corp. of Everett, Eldec Corp. of Lynnwood and Jamco America Inc. of Everett all were named top Boeing parts suppliers for last year.

They received Q100 awards from Boeing. The 2-year-old program is designed to recognize 100 suppliers for quality work, Boeing spokeswoman Vicki Ray said, though the company actually gave out 103 of them this year.

Boeing develops quieter,
longer-range 747 model
The Boeing Co. has developed a quieter and longer-range version of the 747 — the 747-400XQLR, company officials recently announced.

Boeing does not have any customers lined up for the new plane, but the company hopes to have one by June, which would allow for the new plane to enter service by March 2004, said Bill Droppelman, who heads marketing for 747s.

The company recently started offering the plane to airlines, he said. It will come in both passenger and freighter versions.

The new jet is an upgrade of the 747-400ER, which was itself an upgrade of the basic 747-400. The first plane of the 400ER series is now under construction at Boeing’s Everett factory. It will be delivered to launch customer Qantas later this year.

The newer 400XQLR planes will have redesigned wings, engine casings and nozzles that will make the new plane 20 percent quieter on takeoff and 40 percent quieter on approach, Boeing said. The plane will have a 14-foot greater wingspan and feature raked wingtips similar to those on Boeing’s long-range midsize jet, the 767-400ER.

The 400XQLRs also will carry an extra 2,000 gallons of fuel. The combination of more fuel and new wings will extend the plane’s range by 360 miles.

Condit promotes three execs
to chairman’s office
Boeing Co. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Phil Condit has expanded the roles of three executives and elevated them to the chairman’s office.

They are: Chief Financial Officer Mike Sears, Chief Technology Officer David Swain and newly named Chief People and Administration Officer Laurette Koellner.

Condit said the moves were prompted by the pending retirements of Harry Stonecipher as Vice Chairman in June, Jim Dagnon as Senior Vice President for People in May and John Warner as Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer in July.

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