Boeing 787 Dreamliner Taxiing for Take-Off and First Flight

[JohnRPollard]

The Dreamliner is rolling. You can find streaming video on most major American news outlets, or at Boeing:

Dreamliner First Flight

[JohnRPollard]

Well, that was cool. I wish them a safe flight!

I was surprised they left the gear down like that.....

[winddancer88]

Yeah, I was wondering about the gear being left down too. . . . anybody know why?

[erps]

I thought that was pretty typical on test flights, just in case they can't get it back down (the landing gear).

[djodenda]

I was there.. That was cool! The plane was amazingly quiet. I guess I'm feeling pretty proud.

You can track the flight this way:

FlightAware > Flight Tracking Map > Boeing Commercial Airplane Group #1

Enjoy!

Back to work now..

David

[erps]

cool link David.

[djodenda]

Ray.. you should be able to see her... Look for the chase planes...

[erps]

I noticed their route took them right over Strawberry Pt., but I figured they were flying above the clouds. I lived in Lynnwood for a while when I was a kid and I remember watching the brand new 747's flying over town. Good job Boeing.

[djodenda]

Oh.. yeah.. The clouds..

Sorry.

[tdw]

Originally Posted by djodenda

I was there.. That was cool! The plane was amazingly quiet. I guess I'm feeling pretty proud.

You can track the flight this way:

FlightAware > Flight Tracking Map > Boeing Commercial Airplane Group #1

Enjoy!

Back to work now..

David

David,

Congratulations on a job well done.....does this mean you can catch up on some sleep now ? She's a good looking bird isn't she ? Can't wait to fly in one. As much as the big birds have the wow factor I've always preferred flying in the smaller ones. Give me a 777 over a 747 or a 380 any time.

Which reminds me...one of the great experiences of my life was sitting in the pilots seat of a 767 flying over the middle east heading into Istanbul. Back in the days when such things were allowed. I was about to use the head when one of the flight attendants asked if I'd mind if the captain went first. So I said, sure, if I can have his seat as a trade. I stayed there until we started to descend into Istanbul. Good time.

JRP - Erps is correct...gear down is SOP for initial test flights....