Boeing likes Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Boeing employees are enjoying their time testing the 747-8 at the Grant County International Airport.

Frank Rasor, Northwest region director of Boeing’s flight test operations, thanked the people of Grant County and Moses Lake during the Grant County Economic Development Council’s quarterly luncheon Thursday.

“Boeing flight test (crew) has really appreciated our stay here with the 747 program,” he said. “The state here has been great, the facilities, the people have welcomed us, so thanks for that.”

He explained his job is the flight testing of commercial airplanes, from 737s to 787s.

Boeing manufactures primarily commercial airplanes and some products like the Airborne Laser, which is a derivative of a 747, and an antisubmarine airplane, which can drop weapons and track submarines.

“What we do in the Puget Sound is primarily commercial products or the commercial products that have been turned into military products,” Rasor said.

There are two parts to the Boeing Company’s business mix, the defense space and security side, and the commercial airplane side.

The commercial side is slightly bigger at more than 50 percent of the company.

The company made $68 billion in total revenue in 2009 and reached 100 percent ISO Certification (International Organization for Standardization).

Boeing has a company commitment to focus and improve efficiency and is looking at 25 percent improved efficiency in the fleet over the next 20 years.

“That’s a clear goal and direction of the Boeing Company,” he said.

He talked about decreasing CO2 emissions and improving fuel efficiency by at least 15 percent in Boeing aircraft.

“The 787, the other model here in the flight test program, is a good example of that,” he said. “One of the reasons we haven’t lost orders, is we believe the market is telling us, we have a world beater. An airplane that’s at least 15 percent better in fuel economy by any other airplane.”

“It comes down to buying airplanes for the future,” he said. “Our customers have little choice but to sign up and buy the 787.”

He claimed customers won’t be able to buy another aircraft with the same passenger capability for those ranges.

He also addressed noise levels on the new airplane.

At Boeing operations at Paine Field in Everett, there was a noise curfew of 10 p.m. The community would be upset if they ran engines past the curfew.

In Moses Lake, they are able to run 747-8 engines all night without complaints.

“The engines were that much quieter than previous airplanes,” he said.

According to Rasor, Boeing is the largest manufacturer and largest non-governmental employer with 72,000 employees in the state  and paying $3.3 billion to 2,760 suppliers in 2009.