On Dec 15, 10:40*am, David LaCourse wrote:
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.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

It is one beautiful aircraft. And we lucked out because a line of
showers was just passing thru the Kitsap peninsula headed for Paine/
Everett. We had lots of snow in the Cascades yesterday, 33", out to
Yakima in the East. Next weather situation will be Moses Lake airspace
where most of todays tests will be run. Weather for Moses from NWS a
few minutes ago is holding. . .

"Today: Snow likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain, mainly after
4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 31. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation
is 60%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Total daytime snow
accumulation of less than one inch possible"

So if they have to come down in Moses in the snow they will at least
have a lot of runway to work with.

Not to be too cockey but building to the NW weather and moisture
regime is a good thing for planes that have to function in tougher
environments than the French Riverra. ;+))

Speaking of the 121, did you see how those composite wings flex on the
takeoff?

Dave
Fingers crossed