Boeing 787 first flight!

[Gumby]

So cool... technology just blows me away. It's amazing that a hunk of metal (ok, a sexy hunk of metal) can actually fly!

[Qmx323]

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

[tiger_handheld]

a Cessna does it for me.

[hal0g0dv2]

these planes don't have pilots right
just robots

[roastpuff]

Originally Posted by dachinesedude

dreamliner! saw this thing being made when i visited the boeing factory last year, awesome stuff

Same! Actually, for a passenger jetliner it is quite beautiful.

[bcedhk]

[q0192837465]

I never understand how planes can fly with 1 engine running on 1 side (say when 1 of the engine malfunctions in flight). Wouldnt it just fly in circles, like how when u paddle a boat on 1 side only? Can someone school me?

[Greenstoner]

this reminds me i gotta hit my airplane tonight

[Harvey Specter]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQQBTAzA07c

[jackmeister]

did any of you notice, the length between the wings are longer than the length of the plane?

longer wings = flex more = scary for people inside

[sLiCkRiCk]

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner had a wonderful first flight yesterday. It was covered by multiple media outlets and many different formats, from twitter, to standard live TV, to web feed, to even streaming video on an iPhone. Reading the forums (and even my friend's Facebook statuses) a lot of people keep asking "why should I care?"

These are the reasons I think even non-aviation nerds might care:

* The 787 is made up of 50% composite material. I have seen people say "I would much rather fly on a metal plane than a plastic one." The carbon fiber used in this aircraft is not like any plastic. Carbon fiber is stronger and lighter than metal and I would much rather fly in a "plastic" than "metal" plane any day. Take a look at this picture of the inside structure of a Boeing 707. All the metal panels riveted together. Notice all the additional structure needed around the windows. Compare it to the inside of the 787. The 787's composite body is one solid structure and with fewer weak points. For example, the Boeing 747 requires about 1million holes to be drilled in its fuselage, but the 787 requires less than 10,000. (take a look at all the Boeing 707 and 787 material pictures I took at the Future of Flight)

* Boeing has designed this aircraft to bring back the joy in flying. There is revolutionary lighting and more space for people and luggage.

* The humidity level during flight will be higher, due to having composite materials that won't rust. This will increase the comfort level for the passengers and reduce jet lag.

* Even with the delays and cancellations, there are still 840 orders for the Boeing 787.

* Due to more efficient engines and less weight, the 787 will reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by about 20%. Yet it still is able to go Mach .85, about the speed of its bigger siblings the 777 and 747.

* The aircraft has the largest windows in any passenger jetliner. This will provide a more open feel and give everyone a view to the outside. There are also no sunshades, but just a button which will cause the window to tint and block out the sun, but still have some ability to see outside.

* This plane was made to replace the highly successful Boeing 767. The 787-8 will be able to carry about 210-250 passengers around 8000 nautical miles, while the 787-9 will be able to carry 250-290 about 8250 nautical miles.

* With the 787's range and ability to land at smaller airports, it will reduce the need for airlines to use hub systems and allow them to provide more non-stop flights. This of course lets passengers spend more time at their destination and less time getting there (however as an airline nerd, I love the process of getting there too, so maybe that is a negative for me?!) -- Thanks Ian for pointing that out!

If those aren't enough, it just looks really cool taking off with its wings flexing.

This is a very exciting time in aviation history. Wciting time in aviation history. We just had the Boeing 787 Dreamliner take its first flight and now we wait for the Boeing 747-8 to take its first flight, which will probably be in about a month or so, which of course I will be following.

[seakrait]

Originally Posted by q0192837465

I never understand how planes can fly with 1 engine running on 1 side (say when 1 of the engine malfunctions in flight). Wouldnt it just fly in circles, like how when u paddle a boat on 1 side only? Can someone school me?

they compensate by trimming the flight controls... in this case, the rudder and more flaps on the side with the dead engine... i'm speculating as a layperson here.

[Harvey Specter]

I hope we see another supersonic airplane like the Concorde within the next 20 years or so.

[Ulic Qel-Droma]

^
a more practical supersonic passanger airliner.

[Ulic Qel-Droma]

^
a more practical supersonic passanger airliner.

[Great68]

Originally Posted by sLiCkRiCk

* The 787 is made up of 50% composite material. I have seen people say "I would much rather fly on a metal plane than a plastic one." The carbon fiber used in this aircraft is not like any plastic. Carbon fiber is stronger and lighter than metal and I would much rather fly in a "plastic" than "metal" plane any day. Take a look at this picture of the inside structure of a Boeing 707. All the metal panels riveted together. Notice all the additional structure needed around the windows. Compare it to the inside of the 787. The 787's composite body is one solid structure and with fewer weak points. For example, the Boeing 747 requires about 1million holes to be drilled in its fuselage, but the 787 requires less than 10,000. (take a look at all the Boeing 707 and 787 material pictures I took at the Future of Flight)

Once upon a time people used to say there was no way metal planes could be as good as wooden planes either...

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by Jah Gekko

I hope we see another supersonic airplane like the Concorde within the next 20 years or so.

Me too, but realistically speaking, what airline would buy one? Most of them are losing money, and the ones that are making a profit run a very tight budget.

[no_mercy]

Originally Posted by Gumby

Me too, but realistically speaking, what airline would buy one? Most of them are losing money, and the ones that are making a profit run a very tight budget.

+1

The 787 was derived from Boeing's supersonic cruiser in i think 2000ish. Back then, fuel was cheaper, and maintenance was higher so the supersonic cruiser would get to places faster by burning more fuel. This would carry more passengers in a shorter amount of time thus offsetting the higher maintenance cost. However this idea was shot down for sure after 9-11. No airline was in a position to even think of supersonic travel. Thus the R&D for the supersonic cruiser was pushed to the 787

[Spectre_Cdn]

Off topic:

I just saw what looked to be a CC-177 Globemaster III leaving YVR about 10 minutes ago

[PinoyDrifta]

ya its a c17 airforce cargo plane...deiced it on the weekend...massive thing i tell ya

[Spectre_Cdn]

Originally Posted by PinoyDrifta

ya its a c17 airforce cargo plane...deiced it on the weekend...massive thing i tell ya

Cool.. Any idea what it was doing or carrying here?
Posted via RS Mobile

[PinoyDrifta]

Originally Posted by Spectre_Cdn

Cool.. Any idea what it was doing or carrying here?
Posted via RS Mobile

not sure but it has been here a few times in the past couple of weeks...its like a routine stop already...eh...im sure it has something to do with the olympics...but cool aircraft nonetheless....i will upload pics soon

[Harvey Specter]

I want to see the a400 in person;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHqClmD77CA

[TheNewGirl]

Passenger-Ready 787 Dreamliner Is Ready to Board | Autopia | Wired.com

If anyone wants to see the most recent walk through by Wired.

[shenmecar]