Production Line Visit

I visited the Boeing Everett plant and my old group today and still feel in awe of the changes and beautiful airplanes that I saw. The 747-8 is HUGE, not gross and bulky, but long and graceful. The wing is extremely interesting in the new sculpturing and additions and cleanliness. New wide raked tips and aft loaded airfoil. The 787 in contrast looked like a greyhound in its sleek skinny and refined shapes. What a beautiful airplane! The surprise was the simple single slotted trailing edge flap and all of the beautiful forged fittings throughout. I have to wonder where the fuel load is going to fit in the beautiful thin wing. This is going to be a great airplane when they get it over the manufacturing glitches and in to operation. It appears that things are rolling and the line is full now. The 777 line was full of freighters and a couple of -300's, also breath-taking in their size and beauty. The 777-300 was my last work assignment at Boeing and it is gratifying to see so many in the line 18 years later. Unbelievably I was asked by several of my old buddies if I would like to come back. I said sure but only if my 84 year old frame could take a nap at 1500 every day. Working on the new 777 and 787 derivatives and a tanker sounds mighty inticing.