Boeing Names Michael Teal VP, Chief Project Engineer and Deputy Program Manager; Announces Improved Fuel-Efficiency

The Boeing Company announced Tuesday that Michael Teal will take over the role as vice president, chief project engineer and deputy program manager. Teal previously served as vice president and chief project engineer on the 747-8 program, where he "managed the airplane's configuration and integration, performance, safety, test and certification," according to a Boeing Company news release.

Teal lives in the Renton Highlands with his wife, Pam, who has served on the Renton School Board since February 2009. Teal began his careen with the Boeing Company 25 years ago in the Structures Engineering Department for Boeing's Commercial Airplanes. He then went on to hold several engineering positions within the company until he became chief structures engineer for the 747 Program in February 2001. Most recently, he was the chief project engineer for the 747-9 Programs. 

The announcement of Teal's new role within Boeing coincides with Boeing decision to name Bob Feldmann as vice president and general manager of the new engine 737 family. Feldman has 35 years of aerospace experience, and most recently led the Surveillance and Engagement division within Boeing Military Aircraft, a unit of Boeing Defense, Space & Security that includes several commercial derivative programs based on the 737 platform, according to the release, which also mentioned Feldman as a key player in the successful development of programs such as the EA-18G Growler and the P-8A Poseidon.

The Boeing Company is continuing to make strides in energy and fuel efficiency. 

Today, the Company also announced that the board of directors has approved the launch of the new engine variant of the popular 737. The 737 family has won orders for more than 9,000 airplanes, according to Boeing Company figures.

The decision, considered a business decision, was strongly based on order commitments for nearly 500 airplanes from five different airlines.

"The re-engined 737 will allow Boeing to continue to deliver the most fuel efficient, most capable airplane with the lowest operating costs in the single-aisle market," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh in the news release. "This, coupled with industry leading reliability and maintainability, is what customers have told us they want. As a result, we are seeing overwhelming demand for this new and improved version of the 737. We are working with our customers to finalize these and other agreements in the weeks and months ahead."

The new 737 family will be powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines optimized for the 737. It will have the lowest operating costs in the single-aisle segment with a 7 percent advantage over the competition. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2017.  

"Customers tell us they want to improve profitability and fuel efficiency while reducing their environmental footprint," said Albaugh. "This solution meets all three of those needs."

When compared to a fleet of 100 of today's most fuel-efficient airplanes, this new model will emit 277,000 fewer tons of CO2 and save nearly 175 million pounds of fuel per year, which translates into $85 million in cost savings. The airplane's fuel burn is expected to be 16 percent lower than our competitor's current offering and 4 percent lower than their future offering.