Maiden Flight of the 787

[fliger747]

The wing flexing was due to the light fuel load. For a long range trip the weight of the fuel in the wings will keep them down a lot more.

As one of the first customers for the 747-8 we were starting to joke that the 787 might make it's first flight on the back of the -8, ala Space Shuttle.....

Glad to see it get airborne. Boeing managment has had many difficulties after moving to a certain midwest city (one where I sit at the moment). Perhaps the ability to wander down to the shop floor and see what is happening does have value....

T.

 

[Piglet]

Weather cut the trip short

Hope that won't be a recurring problem with that shiny new state of the art airtuber.

 

[fliger747]

Test flight programs are done with a very closely defined set of allowable parameters, such that all flight regiems can be evaluated in discreet steps. No untoward surprises are wanted that might threaten the valuable test airframe or test program.

T

 

[tigisfat]

The wing flexing was due to the light fuel load. For a long range trip the weight of the fuel in the wings will keep them down a lot more.

Sure, but the 787 is also designed to long curving wings at a high dihedral. I believe it offers more wing loading at a higher aspect ratio.