The Boeing 787 Dreamliner with Dreamlifter in the background. Took picture this Saturday during taxi testing.
UPDATE 12:05pm: I am currently at the Future of Flight and just took some cloudy pictures of the Boeing 787. Hopefully tomorrow will be a bit better.CHECK THEM OUT.
I know my blog has turned into a Boeing 787 blog recently, but that is because tomorrow could be one of the most exciting days in aviation history and I am excited to be a part of it. I say “could” because the weather could have other plans, but so far, it looks like it might cooperate. It was beyond exciting seeing the front wheel of the Boeing 787 lift off on Saturday (as you can tell by my comments and people clapping around me) and I feel privileged to be there tomorrow to witness and record the event. As I did with the taxi tests, I hope to get my content up as soon as possible and then add links to photos and videos of others that were there as well.
I won’t be providing a live feed of the first flight, although I will be taking video. I am currently researching who will be providing live feeds and I will provide you links early tomorrow morning.
Thanks for reading and if I get some time today, I will get something non-787 posted. Until then, make sure to follow #787 (follows tweets about the 787), #787FF (follows tweets about the 787 first flight), Flightblogger, FutureofFlight, PIBoeing and of course AirlineReporter on Twitter.
Above is video I took of the Boeing 787 going nose up on a taxi test. If you have sound you can hear those amazing thrust reversers in action. I was only there for about 30min, but I was there during the best 30 minutes. We had a great view off the Future of Flight’s Strato Deck. This aircraft looks amazing moving and she looks like she wants to take to the sky. Between each pass, “street” sweepers would come on the runway and clean it off. There were dozens of Boeing workers near the runway in bright yellow vests. It was surreal seeing a Boeing 737 doing touch and goes and watching other private planes land while the Boeing 787 wait to get onto the runway. I wanted to see more, but it was ending as a storm front was heading in, which was good. It was only about 30 degrees outside, but a gorgeous day to see a gorgeous plane!
The Seattle PI got these pics of the Boeing 787 testing ZA001 testing its brakes.
Today comes the next big step in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner first flight. Unfortunately I am not able to make it up to Paine Field to watch the tests, but there is a great group of aviation enthusiasts who are, including the Flight Blogger. I will be posting updates as the tests go on and a few links you can follow.
* Flight Blogger who will have live streaming
* Follow Twitter #787TT to get updates on what is going on
Wish them all warm thoughts, since it is about 25deg in SEA right now.
UPDATE 8:21am: Watch Flight Blogger’s live video stream.
UPDATE 9:38am: The taxi testing is going well. Using reverse thrusters. Aubrey at the Seattle PI has some great shots of the tests.
UPDATE Noon: More pictures added to the Seattle PI. The tests are going well! It is so wonderful to see the 787 moving in the positive direction.
UPDATE 12:13pm: The Seattle PI is posting some professional pictures taken of the Dreamliner and Dreamlifter. There are some AMAZING shots. Flightblogger reports that ZA001 has gotten up to 135kts so far today.
UPDATE 12:49pm: The nose wheel of the B787 left the ground in the latest taxi test.
UPDATE 12:52: I am free from other obligations and the 787 tests are still going on. I am heading north to Paine Field and hopefully will catch some of the action. Should be there in about 30min or so. Not going to lie, I am beyond excited.
UPDATE 1:32: Seeing this plane move is AMAZING. Looks like they are about to do another run. What a gorgeous plane!
UPDATE 1:50: ZA001 just lifted its nose wheel off the ground heading northbound, which made for some amazing photos.
UPDATE 2:00: Looks like the tests are completed. I missed most of the day, but I caught the best part. Will be heading back home soon and get some of my pictures and video up.
That’s right folks. According to Jon Ostrower with Flight Blogger, Boeing OFFICIALLY announced the first flight of the long anticipated Boeing 787 Dreamliner will be taking to the air on December 15th at 10am (as long as the weather participates).
I feel very lucky and privileged that I will be there during the first flight and I will, of course, be covering it via Twitter, pictures and video. Don’t worry, if you have a few extra bucks laying around you get be there too.
UPDATE: 8:09PST: Boeing is officially announcing it on their main page and their NewAirplane.com site.
A few from the farside of the Future of Flight's Strato Deck, over looking Paine Field, where the Boeing 787 will take flight for the first time.
You can feel the energy building in the Seattle area for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s first flight. Even though Boeing is stating they are giving a week’s notice for the first flight, I am not so sure that’s true. Things seem to be in motion and I wouldn’t be surprised if the 787 will take flight sometime next week.
If you are planning to be in the Seattle area, you have the opportunity to get VIP tickets to view the first flight from the Future of Flight’s Strato Deck. There will be food, drinks, some very interesting people and of course the best view of the Boeing 787 taking flight! Tickets are only $250.00, which is a DEAL for this once in a lifetime event. Check out their website for more information and how to get your tickets. Hurry, no one knows when the first flight will happen!
