Boeing to seek permit for 787 line

Boeing says it is ready to take the first steps to make it easier to build a second 787 final assembly line in North Charleston, S.C., should it decide to do so. The former Vought plant already makes part of the airplane's fuselage. The company said no decision has been made, and that Boeing simply intends to take the procedural step of filing the necessary permits. (Source: Aviation Week, 08/26/09) Gulf Coast note: Boeing and Northrop Grumman are competing to build aerial tankers for the Air Force. Northrop and partner EADS want to assemble the planes in Mobile, Ala., and Boeing wants to assemble them in Washington state.