The Boeing 787 Thread
 

From info I received this morning.

Doubt the 787 will fly today, FAA rules for test flights require VFR conditions. The cloud deck is at 2,000-3,000 feet. It all depends on what weather restrictions the FAA has put on the first test flight.

The test flight is due to start at 7:40am Sydney time today.

For anyone who has a HF-USB band radio, below is the list of Boeing flight test frequencies.
2851
3004
3443
5451
5469
5571
6550
8822
10045
11288
11306
13312
17964
21931

It is happening now. Engines are on:

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

It is airborne - an AMAZING takeoff!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the update Sarah

I got the timing wrong:o. Seems like the old menory bank, is not working to well these days.

Well i just turned the ripe age of 25 and i missed it as well!

Im just waiting for youtube to update hopefully soon with a video!

As i wrote that, here they are!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhSN_qLWTho

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv9ZU4EEMao

Wow she sure has some power!

Several comments (for explanation please)

Firstly the amazing bend in the wings as the aircraft became airborne. It was much more pronounced than what I've observed in the 747-400. Would the first flight have been heavy to cause that bend or is that what we will become used to seeing with the flexible wing on the 787?

There seemed to be a (test) device streaming from the tip of the tail. What's that called and what is it measuring?

I wonder if we will see the films from the chase planes? (Sam Chiu - were you on board<g>?)

The wing bend would have been due to it being light on fuel, not heavy. It is fuel that generaly 'weighs' wings down.

The wings are designed to flex that much, although the upturned wingtips exaggerate the affect a little. The aircraft would've been fairly light compared to its planned MTOW. You'll see similar flex on the 747-8 as well.

It's a static pressure test probe - designed to provide backup altitude and airspeed figures in case the aircraft's pitot doesn't work.

I know the aircraft was considerably under MTOW however it was quite noticeable that there was not alot of nose up pitch on rotation to get it off the ground and also not alot of flare on landing.