Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Still dreaming

The Wall Street Journal reports that Boeing has again halted factory deliveries of components for the much anticipated 787 Dreamliner owing to workmanship issues with a major Italian supplier. The problem involves delivery of the jet's horizontal stabilizers (small wings at the rear of the aircraft that help control the up-and-down pitch of the aircraft). The parts are built by Alenia Aeronautica in Foggia, Italy, and have been a source of consternation for Boeing much of this year. The Seattle Times says that as a result Boeing is considering building 787-9 horizontal tails in-house. Meanwhile, the planes are stacking up!