787 to Fly Next Week!

[Mike W]

IT'S OFFICIAL: BOEING OPENS 787 FIRST FLIGHT WINDOW ON DECEMBER 15, 10 AM

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...-december.html

787 first flight window on 15 December
By Ghim-Lay Yeo

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner's first flight window is set to open on 15 December at 10:00 local time at Paine Field in Everett, Washington.

"With high-speed taxi testing scheduled in the coming days, we're on track for first flight soon thereafter," says Boeing.

This follows the completion of static testing of the side-of-body modification, it adds.

The first flight window opening is dependent upon final internal reviews, taxi test and receipt of the final experimental ticket from the US Federal Aviation Administration, says Boeing.

Continues

This is great news. At last the 787 (well it hasn't flown yet so I'm still a little nervous) I think this aircraft will be more significant (and infinitely more numerous) than the 380 for us here in Aus with so many local operators planning to use it.

I can't wait for JQ (will they be the first to use it in and out of SYD?) to start getting theirs although I do wish it was QF first as it seems more appropriate to me that the parent and more premium brand gets first crack, but that's the way it goes.

...and then another 2 years or so for NZ to get the first -9 in the world.

[Ash W]

I think you will find there was an annoucement the other week that has indicated that Qantas will get the 787-8's direct rather than through Jetstar as they first planned. If so that would mean Qantas will get the 787 before Jetstar as Jetstar's first 787's will now be -9's

[Andrew M]

I am hoping the following happens

- She passes the remaining ground tests
- She gets the FAA approval to fly
- The weather is good (not looking that good for next week at this stage.. It is Winter in the USA after all)

I really do hope she flies, another delay would be VERY bad for the whole program!

[Mike W]

Originally Posted by Ash W

If so that would mean Qantas will get the 787 before Jetstar

Gee, I hope that's right. If it is the case, when do you think we would see the first one, all things going well with the test flights?

It's a shame ANA don't come here so maybe the first scheduled 787 flight to SYD could be JAL?

[Sarah C]

I think the main worry at the moment is the weather - Seattle has been very cold the last couple of weeks, they are expecting snow in the coming days. Depending on how bad the snow is (if it happens) and other weather conditions, that would be what delays it. They have set a time for the airline reps and media - hopefully the snows doesn't eventuate, the weather for the rollout was perfect.

[Dave Dale]

Will the 787 replace the A330's in the Qantas fleet?

[Ash W]

The ones they have on order are meant to replace the 767's. For the time being Qantas has no plans to replace the A330's.

[Bernie P]

787 Taxi Testing including high speed.

Matt has some great videos of the 787 doing some tests whilst taxi... He also has 2 high speed runway tests, and the noise when she spools up is AMAZING!

So all up, it looks promising for first flight early next week!

Royal Scott King also has some great photos as well!

[Rhys Xanthis]

You can see the first flight live at www.boeing.com or www.newairplane.com

First flight is scheduled early Wednesday morning at the following times;

Perth: 0200
Darwin: 0330
Brisbane: 0400
Adelaide: 0430
Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney: 0500

[Andrew M]

I'll be up at 4:45am tomorrow morning.

Weather is still not looking the best.