line to minimize downtime between airplanes as the first 737 MAXs ease their way into the flow. It’s a change from the current routine, in which mechanics work the same position every shift in the fast-paced, 42-airplanes-a-month flow of the Next-Generation 737. Stuart Whiting will be working in the last position on the production line, where mechanics test the systems and control surfaces of the airplane to ensure everything works properly. To improve efficiency, he also will install wiring at the beginning of assembly. “If something needs to be fixed down the line, we’ll know where the wiring is located to quickly fix it,” he said. As production of the first 737 MAXs matures, the Operations team has a plan to slowly transfer employees working on Next-Generation 737 Final Assembly to the MAX so they can learn on the dedicated MAX production line. Toward the end of the decade, MAX production will supplant Next- Generation 737 production and all Renton mechanics will benefit from the knowledge developed by this pioneering team. Foldesi said he anticipates there will be bumps in the road, as with any program. But “being part of the team that gets to devise ways to fix them for the people coming after—that is something that I want to be a part of.” n lauren.l.penning@boeing.com AUGUST 2015 39
Frontiers August 2015 Issue
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