april-2012

HOW IT’S DONE
Dream Machine
Nearly every boilerplate air-travel article lists the following
tips for making fl ying more pleasant: Bring earplugs
or an eye mask to help you sleep, keep the moisturizer
fl owing so your skin doesn’t dry out, and throw in a few
carbon-emission off sets to salve your conscience. These
steps only go so far, however, which is why Boeing’s new
787 Dreamliner (making its debut with United later this
year) is such big news among frequent fl yers, airplane
afi cionados and engineers alike. It’s constructed from a
carbon composite that permits larger windows, a quieter
cabin and higher humidity, and increases fuel effi ciency
to boot. Long in the making, it is, by all accounts, a technological
marvel. Here’s how they did it. BY JACQUELINE DETWILER
3
1
2
1 The 787 is made primarily of
carbon fi ber–reinforced plastic
(CFRP), similar in theory to
steel-reinforced concrete. CFRP
is lighter and stronger than metal,
which reduces the weight of the
aircraft. Combined with the 787’s
state-of-the-art engine (either
a Rolls-Royce Trent or a General
Electric GEnx), this equals a
20 percent increase in fuel
effi ciency. CFRP is also harder to
corrode than metal, which allows
for higher humidity in the cabin.
2 On most modern airplanes,
HEPA fi lters screen the air for
pollen and pathogens but miss
some organic compounds—from
fabrics, paints, foods and passengers
themseves—that can irritate
your lungs and sinuses. The 787’s
new gaseous fi ltration system
absorbs these compounds,
increasing the chances that you’ll
feel better upon arrival.
3 The typical airplane interior
is pressurized to create an “altitude”
of 8,000 feet—any lower,
and the diff erence between the
cabin and the outside air would
put undue strain on the walls.
Because CFRP is stronger than
metal, the 787’s interior altitude
can be lowered to 6,000 feet,
reducing the likelihood of passenger
fatigue and headaches.
ILLUSTRATION BY ANDREW BAKER HEMISPHERESMAGAZINE.COM • APRIL 2012 39