Boeing selects Rockwell Collins Unit to Provide 7E7 Pilot Controls

Boeing has selected Kaiser Electroprecision, a Rockwell Collins company located in Irvine, Calif., to provide the pilot controls for the new 7E7 Dreamliner airplane.

The pilot control system includes the wheel, column and rudder pedals located in the flight deck and the associated mechanisms. Pilots use these to control the aircraft in flight and on the ground. Also included is the control stand with the engine thrust controls.

"Pilot control of the airplane is at the heart of our philosophy for creating a safe, efficient global air transportation system. With Rockwell Collins, we have found a partner who understands our requirements and shares our commitment to safety," said 7E7 Senior Vice President Mike Bair.

The 7E7 pilot controls will be very similar in function to the 777 pilot controls, a similarity requested by airlines from around the world.

"This win is especially gratifying for us and a real vote of confidence," said Rockwell Collins Commercial Systems Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Bob Chiusano. "Boeing's selection of Rockwell Collins to develop and produce these components speaks to our abilities as a systems integrator and our leadership in pilot controls."

Launched in April 2004, the 7E7 is a family of three airplanes, all of which will use the same engine type. The 7E7-8 Dreamliner will carry 217 passengers in three-classes of seating with a range of up to 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 kilometers). The 7E7-3 Dreamliner, a model of the 7E7-8 optimized for shorter flights, will carry 289 passengers in two-class seating on ranges up to 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 kilometers). The 7E7-9 Dreamliner, a longer version of the 7E7-8, will carry 257 passengers in three classes with a range of 8,300 nautical miles (15,400 kilometers).