Boeing’s reputation rides on its Dreamliner

Aerospace giant Boeing Co is racing to meet a self-imposed deadline to fly its 787 Dreamliner this year. See graphic

Aerospace giant Boeing Co is racing to meet a self-imposed deadline to fly its 787 Dreamliner this year.

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The company’s engineering reputation is riding on the 787’s innovative design. "I think it's going to change the way that airliners are built in the future," said Dennis O’Donoghue, Boeing vice president in charge of flight testing. But before the revolution can occur, the plane has to fly.

“As hard as it is, it’s worth going after,” O'Donoghue said. "When you're the first one out to do something like this, you take your lumps.”