Thanks for the information, T-38 Phyler. From a passenger perspective, it sounds great. From a safety prospective, there are a
LOT of concerns with the electrical system; specifically, the batteries.
It seems that Boeing may have really shot themselves in the foot with the "save weight at all costs" design philosophy. The decision to change from from the proven, but heavier, nickel-cadmium batteries to lithium-ion may have been a
very expensive one. The Korean Air aircraft fire on the ground in BOS is probably the tip of the iceberg and one can only imagine what may have happened had that aircraft been in flight.
The problem with any lithium based battery is that if there is a faulty charging system or an overheat condition serious enough to start a fire, it cannot be extinguished, no matter how good the containment box may be. For my two cents, I think Boeing is going to have to go back to the drawing board and re-design the electrical system and possibly go back to ni-cad batteries for safety sake. How many on this forum would want to be in a 787 at 30 degrees West and have a battery fire. That is a formula for a disaster.
G'Luck Mates and be safe out there
