March 2, 2005
Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp. (EGAT) has signed a contract with US aerospace giant Boeing Co. in Taipei on February 18 for the refitting of three 747 passenger planes as special 747-400 Large Cargo Freighters, EGAT parent company EVA Airways Corp. and Boeing revealed in a preliminary announcement on February 15.
EGAT will refit the planes on behalf of Boeing for the purpose of transporting body parts and other large components of Boeing's newly designed 787 Dreamliner from France, Japan and the US to the 787's future assembly site in Spain. This deal marks a significant technological advance for Taiwan's aerospace industry and establishes a strong foundation for future aircraft refitting projects here.
EGAT was established in 1997 as a joint venture between Taiwan's second largest air carrier EVA Airways and General Electric Group of the US. The refitting will be carried out at EGAT's facilities at CKS International Airport.
It is reported that the cost of refitting each aircraft is estimated to reach over
USD 25 million. Interestingly, one of the 747s slated for refitting was just purchased by Boeing from Taiwan's China Airlines last December.
This refitting project entails the strengthening of the 747's structure and the reinforcement of the bearing capacity of its deck. However, the most technologically challenging tasks will involve cutting open the top half of the plane's body to create more cargo space and opening of the rear end to allow for the loading of such large parts as the 787's wings.
The 747 LCF is considered one of Boeing's most protected corporate secrets. Boeing's decision to work with EGAT not only reflects the US company's confidence in Taiwan's technological capabilities, but also in its ability to maintain corporate confidentiality.
Boeing has chosen this strategy of using 747 LCF to carry parts from different locations around the world in order to spread out development costs, reduce assembly time and lower inventory burdens.
Boeing plans to begin assembly of the 787 Dreamliner in 2006. Test flights are set to commence in 2007 and certification and commissioning are expected in 2008. The aircraft maker has already received orders for 191 787s from fifteen air carriers. China announced at the end of January that it has placed orders for 60 787s.
(United Daily News)
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