China Southern’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to be delivered readies for take off at Paine Field. Photo by Malcolm Muir.
A China Southern Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner in special livery took its first flight yesterday at Paine Field and AirlineReporter.com correspondent Malcolm Muir was there to catch it in action. One of the first chilly and windy days in Seattle made it a bit more difficult, but you have to be ready for unfriendly weather if you plan spot in Everett.
China Southern’s 787 taxis at Paine Field. Photo by Malcolm Muir.
For some reason, the airline still has not been publicly talked about the livery and is almost seeming to try to keep it a secret. This is unfortunate, since many spotters have already caught the impressive new design. It is currently rumored that nine out of the ten China Southern 787s will sport this special livery.
“The livery stands out really well against the other aircraft and definitely an improvement over standard china southern livery,” Muir explained. I have to agree. I have been able to see this livery up close on the flight line and it is more breath taking in person than the photos can show.
Spotting a 787 at Paine Field would not be complete without a head-on shot. Photo by Malcolm Muir.
China Southern’s standard livery is not too shabby looking, but quite a bit more conservative than this special 787 design.
The Dreamliner, B-2727, took off a bit after noon on Friday and according to FlightAware.com, flew for about an hour and 40 minutes over Washington state before returning to Everett.
And lift off. China Southern’s 787 is about to go on a 1hr 40min flight and return back to Paine Field. Photo by Malcolm Muir.
China Southern was originally scheduled to take delivery of their first 787 by the end of September, but that obviously has not happened yet.
The airline is the third to offer a special livery of their 787 Dreamliner after ANA and United.
Some of the world’s largest planes take off and land at Paine Field every day. Will a few MD-80s really be that big of a deal? Photo by AirlineReporter.com.
It is time for Paine Field (PAE) to offer commercial flights and we all might be one step closer to getting there. Paine Field, where Boeing builds its Boeing 767, 777 and 787, is located in Everett, WA about 30 miles north of Seattle. Many people think that the airport is owned by Boeing, but it is actually owned by Snohomish County and for years there has been debate about starting commercial operations at the airport.
Even though I live in the flight path for Paine Field and increased flights would likely decrease the value of my home, I am a strong supporter for adding commercial flight operations. It is the best for the community as a whole, there is a demand and there will be little negative impact on the community.
BACKGROUND PAINE FIELD STORIES:
* Is Seattle Ready for a Second Airport?
* Opinion: Commercial Flights Should Commence at Paine Field
This week the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concluded that up to 23 flights per day would have almost no impact on the environment, noise or traffic around the airport. People still have until October 17th to make their opinions known and the FAA is expected to make their final decision on commercial flights by the end of the year.
After the FAA’s announcement Alaska Airlines stated that they are no longer interested in flying out of Paine Field. Alaska told The Everett Herald that Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) has improved their offering quite a bit with a third runway, light rail and a rental car area. “Just the significant investments made at Sea-Tac the last couple of years lead us to feel strongly that Sea-Tac is the best airport to serve our region,” Bobbie Egan explained to the Everett Herald. However, Alaska also admits that if other airlines start offering flights out of PAE, they might re-visit the issue in the future.
Allegiant, who does not operate any flights out of SEA, is still interested in starting operations at Paine Field. Even with the final announcement expected soon, Allegiant is not sure when it might start flights. “We don’t have an announcement timeline ’“ or even a definitive that we will announce ’“ but we are certainly interested,” Allegiant spokesperson told AirlineReporter.com. “Many other factors come into play when making service decisions. That being said, we think the FAA report confirms what we’ve said all along – flights from Paine field would be a great benefit to the community and the airport.”
Will Paine Field be seeing the Allegiant livery soon? I sure hope so. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren.
Not everyone is a fan of Paine Field starting commercial operations. The Everett Herald recently posted a commentary from Vicki Derks who feels that increased traffic at PAE might cause Boeing to move more of their operations out of town.
Derks echos the fear that many others have talked about: the fact that once commercial air traffic starts at an airport, there is no limiting how quickly flights can grow. Maybe the surrounding area will turn into a cesspool or the noise will drive people out of the area. I hardly doubt that will ever be the case. For one, is there really that much demand in Everett for enough commercial flights to cause a detriment to the community? I do not think so.
About 40 miles south is the region’s largest airport SEA and then 75 miles north is Bellingham International Airport. There isn’t a huge population between the two airports who will be looking for a limited, domestic route offerings out of PAE.
To date, Boeing has had no comment on commercial flights starting in Everett.
It seems the writing is on the wall. I suspect that someday flights will commence at Paine Field and I am waiting for the day. I say bring it on!
Um. Yes Please…
Are you going to be in the Seattle area over the weekend? Then make sure you head to Paine Field to check out the Vintage Aircraft Weekend!
Historic Flight Foundation is hosting the Fifth Annual Vintage Aircraft Weekend going on August 31 ’“ September 1st, 2012. Together with other Paine Field Partners and the Snohomish County Tourism Promotion Area, ’œVAW’ is a great event for the aviation enthusiasts and families.
The festival begins on Friday with the arrival of aircraft throughout the day. At 6 pm, 250 lucky patrons will attend a “Big Band Dinner Dance” featuring the fifteen-piece, tuxedo-clad “Kings of Swing”.
The main event begins Saturday morning, at 9 am. VAW features a first-class Speakers Bureau, live music, two flying sessions of vintage aircraft, vintage automobiles and military vehicles, fine food, vintage bicycles, vintage clothing and uniforms, and a host of opportunities for kids and parents to interact with displays and vendors. The final flight will conclude at 5 pm.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids (up to a maximum of $25 for a family). Head on over to the Historic Flight Foundation and have some fun this weekend.
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The Boeing 247D and a 787 Dreamliner are almost nose to nose. About 80 years separate these two airliners. How similar, yet different they are from each other.
The Paine Field Aviation Day this year was bigger and better than ever. More planes, more options, more access and the sunny day doesn’t hurt either. The even was divided into two events, one on the west side of the field by the Historic Flight Foundation and the other on the east side by the Flying Heritage Collection. There were shuttles that would quickly take guests to either their parking lot or the other side of the field.
Boeing pulled one of their new 777-200LRs going to Air Austral into a location where guests could get up close and personal.
A P-47D Thunderbolt, belonging to the Flying Heritage Collection, returns after flying.
Hawker Hurricane Mk.XIIA and Republic P-47D Thunderbolt flying over Paine Field.
A Grumman F7F Tigercat, called Bad Kitty, returns from a flight, as a Cargolux Boeing 747-8F spools up for take off. You have to love Paine Field.
Come for the war birds. Stick around to watch the new Boeing 747-8F take off. Why not?
it is plane porn, watching Bad Kitty raise her wings.
How can you not love Paine Field when you are watching classic war birds flying in the sky and they take a break to let a brand new Boeing 747-8F take off? A big cheers to all those who worked hard and volunteered their time to make this year’s event bigger and better than ever. Can’t wait until next year!
CHECK ALL 40 OF MY PHOTOS FROM THE PAINE FIELD AVIATION DAY 2012
Come join us at 10am at the Paine Field Aviation Day at the Lockheed YO-3A. You can't miss it -- it is the little plane with six blades. Image from the Museum of Flight.
This Saturday will be the Paine Field Aviation Day. If you are planning on attending, I hope you can swing by at about 10:00am for a little Tweet Up. I know myself and Sandy with the Future of Flight will be there.
Let’s meet at the Lockheed YO-3A that will be on display at the event. It will be a big day for the YO-3A, since this will be its first public appearance after being restored by the Museum of Flight.
You can also follow along with the hashtag #PFAD12. Hope to see you there!
