787 first delivery may be delayed 3 months says Kenya Airways CEO

According to an article on Air Transport World (ATW) Online, Boeing's sales rep to Kenya Airways told its CEO that first delivery to ANA will be delayed by a further three months. This delay is prompting Kenya Airways to consider cancelling its order for 9 787-8 and to perhaps order the A330 from Airbus. If this is true it represents another set back for Boeing and would put the 787 close to being 3 full years behind its initial schedule. Boeing had warned that 1st deliveries could slip into 2011 and the current pace of test flying would support a slippage of 1st delivery to ANA into early 2011. Another aspect to all this is whether the potential delay is related to the uncontained turbine failure of a Trent 1000 engine on a ground test stand in Derby, UK early this month.

ATW: Kenya Airways considers canceling 787s, claims first delivery delayed 3 months

Flightblogger has also picked up on the story:

Flightblogger: Is a fresh 787 delay announcement imminent?

Despite this, Boeing is starting to plan for pilot training for customers and has a nice feature on flying the 787 simulator. You can read and view the video here:

Flying the 787 Simulator

Here's Boeing Press Release on the 787 pilot training:

Boeing Launches 787 Dreamliner Flight Training; Unveils Suite of 787 Training Devices
SEATTLE, Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) Training & Flight Services has started 787 Dreamliner flight certification training following the provisional approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for Boeing's Seattle-based 787 flight training devices. As part of flight training, pilots train on a 787 flat panel training device and a 787 full-flight simulator. Both devices are manufactured by Thales.

"The innovations of the 787 have inspired us to develop the most effective training curriculum based on our customers' training needs matched with efficient delivery and modern simulation tools," said Sherry Carbary, vice president, Flight Services, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "With the FAA's approval on our flight training devices, we are embarking on an exciting journey toward delivering qualified and competent crews."

The provisional designation will be removed once the airplane is fully certified. Local FAA offices will approve training courses customized for individual operators and these may be based on provisional approvals prior to certification of the airplane.

"We're pleased with the progress we are making in ensuring our support products and services are ready for our customers," said Mike Fleming, 787 director of Services and Support, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "This is an exciting time for our customers and an important achievement for the entire Boeing team as we move toward delivery of the first 787."

There are currently eight training suites at five Boeing Training & Flight Services locations around the world in Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai, Seattle and Gatwick, U.K.

Flightblogger also had a feature today on the 787 simulator and had posted his story along with video and photos:

Flightblogger: Flightglobal test pilot Mike Gerzanics flies CAE's 787 simulator