Boeing has started assembly of its 1,000th 767 airplane at a factory in Everett, Wash., the company said.
Mechanics took the first step in major assembly by loading the wing spar into the assembly tool, Boeing said. The spar is the internal support structure that runs through the full length of the wing.
“This is an important milestone for the 767, which has continued to evolve and improve since entering service nearly 30 years ago,” Kim Pastega, vice president and general manager of the 767 program for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said in a news release. “The 767 is a high-performing twin-aisle airplane that delivers nearly 99 percent dispatch reliability every day for more than 90 operators around the world.”
The 1,000th airplane, a 767-300ER (extended range) passenger model, is scheduled for delivery in February 2011 to long-time customer ANA (All Nippon Airways). ANA ordered its first 767 in 1979 and has taken delivery of 89 767s to date.
The Boeing 767 family includes three passenger models — the 767-200ER, 767-300ER and 767-400ER — and a medium-widebody freighter, which is based on the 767-300ER fuselage.