On 2009-12-15 12:16:00 -0500, DaveS said:

On Dec 15, 8:45*am, DaveS wrote:
Here goes. This morning is scheduled for the first test flight of the
new Boeing 787 to be webcast at the addy below.

http://787firstflight.newairplane.com/ffindex.html

It took 2 extra years to get it right and today, weather willing the
bird will FLY for the first time with only 2 top test pilots aboard.
The aircraft will takeoff from Boeing field, climb over the Olympic
Mountains and head out into the Pacific. Then the bird will turn and
head East, climb over the Cascade Mountains and fly out to Moses Lake,
site of one of the world's longest runway, and if alls going well,
turn and return home.

Much is riding on the test program which will use the first 6 aircraft
off the Everett, Washington production line, and more than 1000
engineers, techs and aircraft mechanics in an intensive 24/7, year
long test program of the kind than have made Boeing aircraft the
safest in the air. Wish the pilots and this new bird a safe and
successful flight.

Dave
I love Airplanes

Correction, the test aircraft will takeoff from Paine Field. Here is
yesterday's Aviation Week article on the plane and the test with a bit
more of the perspective on just why this plane is so important.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/gener...hannel=comm&id
=news/W787over.xml

And here again is the Boeing site for the live video feed of the test
flight. I believe they will have at least 2 chase planes.

http://787firstflight.newairplane.com/ffindex.html

Dave

Two T-33s and a T-38 out in front several miles checking out the weather.

Great take off. That thing looks like it is flying when it is standing
still (not unlike an EC-121 d;o) )

Thanks for that site, Dave.

Dave

PS: How do you tell winter from summer in Everett, Washington? In the
winter time the rain is cold.