A short while ago, ZB001 – the first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner completed its first flight from Paine Field to Boeing Field in Seattle.
The plane completed a five-hour sortie, which took it over Washington State and Mount Rainer according to Flightaware:
Image and Data: Flightaware – http://uk.flightaware.com/live/flight/BOE1
The plane landed safely at Boeing field at 16:18PDT, with a nice amount of rubber burnt off on touchdown.
(All Images from the Boeing live feed – The Boeing Company)
Case Plane and the 787-9 Dreamliner
With the city of Seattle as a backdrop…
Closing in on the runway
Skimming the ground
Touchdown!
Taxiing in.
Flight crew being greeted on landing.
The flight was described as “flawless” and “a fantastic day”, with the plane “flying beautifully”, – with the plane flying “like a (787)-8”. Capt. Mike Bryan said “We’re ready for another flight as quick as we can go”.
Weather was described as “challenging”, with the chases planes being the forward eyes, flying at 15,000ft. The toughest part was landing due to the congestion in the Seattle area.
Next flights are set for Friday after checks on Thursday. Flight testing will continue to achieve FAA accreditation, with a total of three 787-9s to form the cadre of test aircraft.
The many carriers that are keeping a close on today including:
- AeroMexico
- Air Canada
- Air China
- Air France
- Air New Zealand
- All Nippon Airways
- American Airlines
- Arkia Air
- Arik Air
- Boeing Business Jets
- British Airways
- Etihad Airways
- Japan Airlines
- Jet Airways
- KLM Group
- Korean Air
- LAN Airlines
- Saudi Arabian Airlines
- Scoot Airlines
- United Airlines
- Vietnam Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic Airways
The aircraft will also be leased to other airlines, with the lessors below (as well as a private jet division)
- Air Lease Corp
- Aviation Capital Group
- Boeing Business Jets
- ILFC
Air New Zealand will be the first carrier to get the 787-9.
For Boeing, the really hard work of certification now begins to meet the demands of the customers who have ordered this variant of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Lets hope it doesn’t suffer the problems its older sibling has suffered.
