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Post by jesse on Dec 15, 2009 9:07:33 GMT -5
Not propliner related but of interest to aviation in general. The Boeing Co. announced that the 787 would make its initial flight today. Let's all hope they have a successful venture with no unforeseen problems.
Jesse
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Post by Ricardo Miranda on Dec 15, 2009 9:38:17 GMT -5
Hi Jesse! Thanks for the HU!  The real counterpart of one of my VAs is to be the launch customer in Europe: Thomson Airways! And here is a link to the special website where they will webcast the event: 787firstflight.newairplane.com/ffindex.htmlFor the lucky ones in Seattle that will witness her maiden flight: Have Fun! Soft Landings!  |
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Post by qxtoolman on Dec 15, 2009 10:33:44 GMT -5
Just as a heads-up, weather may be problem today. Huge rain & wind system is now blowing in. A few minutes ago as I was leaving work they were taking WX delays out of SeaTac. I don't think it's the kind of weather you want to try a initial test flight. But I could be wrong. I wish them all the best!
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Post by Tom/CalClassic on Dec 15, 2009 10:42:03 GMT -5
I wonder if this is the longest delayed first flight ever? (based on using the rollout as time point zero, or even cutting first metal (or composite!)). They definitely encountered more problems than they thought they would on this one. I hope that flight testing goes smoothly at least, but I am worried...
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Post by jesse on Dec 15, 2009 13:36:22 GMT -5
Tom, we do have reason to worry. Boeing broke away from their normal building practice and farmed out a lot of the component construction to so called partners. This caused more than a two year delay due to lack of parts, and more time spent on re-testing some of the manufacturing used. I hope they get all the bugs ironed out without any major difficulties. I timed the take off and it broke ground in 23 seconds from brake release. Jesse Here is the YouTube release of the Maiden Flight. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQVnZJDeP3c |
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Post by Ricardo Miranda on Dec 15, 2009 14:39:32 GMT -5
Hi! You are right on the money Jesse! And thanks for the video! Soft Landings! |
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Post by jesse on Dec 15, 2009 15:01:28 GMT -5
Hi! You are right on the money Jesse! And thanks for the video! Soft Landings! The take off was just before 10:30 PST and the flight is skeduled for about five hours. I imagine the landing at Boeing Field will be sometime around 1500 hours PST. Jesse |
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Post by Tom/CalClassic on Dec 15, 2009 15:52:32 GMT -5
Watched the takeoff on YouTube - nicely uneventful. |
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Post by Ricardo Miranda on Dec 15, 2009 17:54:16 GMT -5
Hi! She landed very well and it seems the flight went as it was expected, the aircraft behaved as well or better than the simulation! Great stuff! And congratulations to the women and men that work on her! Soft Landing! |
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Post by sunny9850 on Dec 15, 2009 17:54:18 GMT -5
Looks like it is back on the ground safely and the flight overall was uneventful. Congratulations to the crew.
I do think some of the egg on Boeing's corporate face has been wiped off, now that the airplane has maid her maiden flight.
But I would think there are still lots of hurdles to overcome and I would not be surprised if there are more troubles related to the wing attachment points.
I think some Boeing execs leaned a little too far out of the window when Airbus had a few "hick-ups" with the A380 and hopefully have learned a lesson. It can happen to them as well.
Stefan
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Post by jesse on Dec 15, 2009 20:02:14 GMT -5
I watched the landing video on CNN and I was especially noting the touch down. It was smooth as silk and not a wisp of smoke from the tires. It was one of the smoothest I have seen. I used to make it a point to sorta bounce the Strat in so it would wake up the passengers. Our seating was slightly different on the MATS flights. All the passengers faced aft rather than forward. It was decided by the Flight Surgeon's office that in the event of an accident, less injuries would occur with the back being braced instead of the body pitching forward against the seat belts. I guess I will never know since I never had an accident.
Jesse
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Post by sunny9850 on Dec 15, 2009 22:21:37 GMT -5
LOL I like that one Jesse....next time I do get it wrong I simply go with that story of wanting to wake up the passengers ;D ;D
I am thinking that this flight was probably at fairly low weights which might help getting that perfect greaser in front of the world media.
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Post by spraycan on Dec 18, 2009 5:51:12 GMT -5
Indeed a nice maiden flight of the 787. Modern times enabling to witness this live, worldwide. There was a classic touch though - those two little T-33 chase planes. A couple of years of history between the three....  Cheers, Jaap |
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Post by circleman on Dec 21, 2009 10:39:14 GMT -5
here in seattle it was quite an event; now comes the real testing, months of it at least.
but that landing...what a work of aviation art.
watching the t-33s go cobra on the TO run was a treat, too.
hope to make it out to paine field for a test flight sptting session
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