Boeing starts retrofitting Dreamliners

Boeing Co. said it's beginning work to incorporate changes to the first 787 Dreamliners that will go to airlines, making sure they conform with the final design that will be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The effort started today at a support site in San Antonio on the 23rd Dreamliner built, Boeing said in a statement. The plane was flown from Boeing's Everett, Washington, factory three days ago.

Boeing will install electronic and mechanical equipment, complete software upgrades, test some systems and remove or rework some wiring and equipment before the Dreamliner enters passenger service. The Chicago-based company plans to hire about 450 temporary workers to join the 1,700 employees at the site to complete the work through 2013 on all the planes built so far.

Flights of the new, composite-plastic 787 began in December 2009 as Boeing used six test jets for FAA certification. The company expects the jet to enter service in the third quarter and has been ramping up production so deliveries can begin upon FAA approval. The 787 is about three years behind schedule.