Real Life News Flash

[Riger]

Hello all,

Here is a story many of you are probably aware of, and some may not be.  This is not an AWS Story, it is Real Life, so put your money back in your pocket.

Boeing 787 to fly test flight at 1 p.m. ET

Today is the day aviation buffs have been waiting for since 2007, when Boeing's Dreamliner aircraft was originally scheduled to fly its test flight. The long-awaited test flight of the 787 is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET today. The aircraft will take off from Everett's Paine Field and land at Boeing Field in Seattle.

"The test aircraft completed its ground tests during the weekend, including a 150-mph dash down the runway at Everett's Paine Field during which its nose gear briefly lifted off the pavement," The Associated Press writes. "Tuesday morning, pilots Michael Carriker and Randall Neville hope to take the 787 on a four-hour flight over Washington state, beginning the extensive flight test program needed to obtain the plane's Federal Aviation Administration certification."

WEBCAST: Boeing's website will live stream the flight (will begin at 9:40 a.m. PST) Link : http://787firstflight.newairplane.com/ffindex.html

Boeing Commercial Airplanes spokesman Jim Proulx told AP that several factors are key for test-flight day:  good visibility, no standing water at the two airports and gentle or no wind. Proulx added that it was raining 15 years ago when Boeing's 777 took its first flight.

According to AP, National Weather Service meteorologist Ted Buehner said "Tuesday's forecast called for rain, 10 mph winds and a cloud ceiling at about 1,500 feet,  said — nothing to prevent a modern jetliner from flying."

Today's scheduled first flight will mark the beginning of the test flight program that must be completed to obtain FAA certification. Today's aircraft is one of six that will be used in testing which is expected to last nine months.

Boeing has 840 orders for the new aircraft which can hold up to 330 passengers and has previously announced plans to deliver the first one by the end of 2010.

"Our pilots told me the airplane performed beautifully," said Mike Delaney, vice president and chief project engineer for the 787, in a statement. "We're going through and analyzing the data to ensure we're ready for first flight. From evaluations we've done so far, everything looks good." Stay tuned for updates... --Rebecca Heslin

Link to original Story :  http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=11487.blog

Best Regards

Richard

[DenisG]

Thx! I am curious if they will be able to keep the promised economies of scale with that development. Busy times, A400M last week, now 787. Won't find much sleep.
Denis

[Teemu]

it flies 

[Riger]

Very Nice.

It's a pity they cut away from the Camera shot as it was appearing over the bulge in the runway ...

Regards

Richard

[mtnlion]

What a beautiful moment the lift off was and how beautiful was the airplane!  The wing flex was awesome too... 

[Jake43]

It was very impressive to see in person. And you are right, the wing flex was very awesome. Maybe it was just the angle, but it looked incredibly large compared to Aluminum planes. Anyway, a new age in Commercial Jetliners has begun. The time of Composites is among us.

[tofen]

I think everyone was amassed by the wing flex, it was just incredible.
Can't wait to see the 747-8 take to the skies next.

[EYguy]

I'm happy for the maiden flight of the Dreamliner but... To make a long story short and mor inherent to this game... When will that a/c get the certification in this game??? :-D