[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 64 (Thursday, May 9, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4950-S4951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         BOEING'S 777 WINS PRESTIGIOUS ROBERT J. COLLIER TROPHY

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I am honored and proud to 
recognize the Boeing Co. from my home State of Washington as the 1996 
winner of the prestigious Collier Trophy presented by the National 
Aeronautic Association. The Collier Trophy, the industry's highest 
honor for aeronautics achievement, will be presented to the Boeing 777 
team this evening here in the Nation's capital.
  According to the National Aeronautic Association, Boeing was cited 
for, ``designing, manufacturing and placing into service the world's 
most technologically advanced airline transport.'' These words are high 
praise, yet they only begin to describe the awesome innovations 
achieved by the 777

[[Page S4951]]

team. The 777 was developed under the theme ``Working Together'' and 
represents the work of thousands of Boeing employees, Boeing customers 
and program partners, thousands of suppliers, regulatory authorities, 
passengers, pilots, and flight attendants. The Working Together concept 
and process will be a model for future research and development efforts 
for U.S. industry.
  The 777, with approximately 300 aircraft on order, positions the 
Boeing Co. and its family of aircraft to compete and succeed in the 
competitive global market for years to come. The 777 is the fourth 
Boeing Co. Collier Trophy winner; the B-52, the 747 and the 757-767 
programs also received this coveted award.
  The Boeing 777 is the first commercial jetliner designed and 
preassembled entirely by computer simulation. More than 235 design-
build teams, linked electronically through advanced computers, worked 
together to create the airplane's parts and systems and to evaluate the 
aircraft from every perspective. This new and innovative development 
process enabled the 777 program to exceed its goal of reducing change, 
error, and rework by 50 percent. Importantly, Boeing plans to apply 
this new development model for maximum efficiency to other airplane 
programs.
  The most exhaustive flight test program in commercial jetliner 
history helped the 777 earn simultaneous certification from the Federal 
Aviation Administration and the European Joint Aviation Authorities. 
The 777 is the first airplane in aviation history to earn FAA approval 
to fly extended-range twin-engine operations routes at service entry. 
This allowed airlines to offer the most direct routes between 
transoceanic cities beginning on the aircraft's first day of service. 
Before entering into service, the 777 set National Aeronautic 
Association-certified speed records between Seattle, Washington and 
cities in Sweden, Thailand, France, Germany, and Switzerland.
  The 777 contains numerous other technological aircraft advancements. 
The fuselage is wider in cross-section than any other jetliner with 
similar seating capacity. Advanced composite materials have lowered 
direct operating costs, improved aircraft safety, and created new cargo 
opportunities for airlines. More than 7,000 hours of flight deck pilot 
simulation will provide more reliability, longer service life and 
better visibility for pilots. The landing gear features better weight 
distribution on runways while reducing weight and maintenance costs. 
The 777 will carry approximately 100 more passengers and has a noise 
footprint less than half that of the older jets it is designed to 
replace.
  On May 15, 1995, United Airlines took delivery of the very first 
Boeing 777. This momentous occasion was marked by a special ceremony at 
the Seattle Museum of Flight. On June 7, 1995, the 777 entered 
commercial service with United as Flight No. 921, traveling from 
London's Heathrow Airport to Dulles Airport in Washington, DC.
  More than 20 airlines have signed orders to purchase and fly the 
Boeing 777. Importantly, virtually all of the airlines are foreign 
customers including British Airways, China Southern, Cathay Pacific, 
Korean Air Lines, Thai Airways, Japan Airlines, South Africa Airways, 
and Saudi Arabia Airlines. This ensures that the Boeing Co. will remain 
one of America's premier exporters. I want to stress to my colleagues 
that this international aircraft is a job generator for my home State 
as well as Americans in virtually every State.
  Congratulations to the 777 team, the Boeing Co., and the thousands of 
individual Washingtonians who labored to design and build this historic 
aircraft.

                          ____________________