MarinerOne

I've been waiting "patiently" for almost two years for this day ... and the day is ALMOST here thank God!

As many of you may know, first flight of the Boeing 787 "Dreamliner" is about one month away! I am truly excited because I will be travelling to Seattle to witness this spectacular event in person at Paine Field in Everett. I'll be bringing my wife with me to share in the excitement of watching my FIRST "first flight" of a Boeing jetliner in my lifetime. It might not be the same for many of you but I have been a huge Boeing fan since I was a kid growing up in Seattle during the early 70s and just missed the first flight of the classic 747 in 1969.

I've been in southern California since the late 70s so I've missed all of the subsequent first flights since then, but I vowed to myself and my wife two years ago that I will NOT miss this monumental event for almost ANYTHING in the world - even a Papal visit to our home in northern San Diego!

Flightblogger reports that intermediate "gauntlet testing" is taking place which basically involves exhaustive testing of the engines and hydraulic systems. During the next two weeks they'll be running the Trent 1000s for seven days straight continuously (24/7) to qualify the plane for FAA flight test certification.

FINAL gauntlet testing will take place after that which involve low-speed and high-speed taxi tests, and then finally a refused takeoff (RTO) in which the Dreamliner revs up the engines as if in a real takeoff situation but aborts the takeoff a V1 and lowers the nose and then reverses thrust and applies full-braking power. After succesful completion of Final Gauntlet testing as described comes the BIG DAY ...

Everything I've read, and believe me I've been reading a LOT, is that first flight will take place by the end of June, most likely in about four to five weeks from now. From what I've surmised, it's roughly about 30 days from the start of the engines to first flight - although it took the A380 only 19 days to achieve this milestone. Since it's Boeing, it would be safe to add a margin of error of 50% - hence 30 days.

Flyin' Hawaiian

lucky man! do you have a date? I also live in SAN too and would love to see my first fligght aswell.

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MarinerOne

A 'date' ... hmmmmmmmmmm ... does my wife count???

Also, here's the latest and greatest from Flightblogger:

Scott Fancher, general manager and vice president of the 787 program, said yesterday at Boeing's annual investor conference:

"In about two weeks, we'll run into what we refer to as the intermediate gauntlet test, similar to the factory gauntlet tests, but much, much more robust. Here we will operate the aircraft on engines seven days, 24/7 with aircrew on the flight deck simulating ground and flight environments, not just nominal flight profiles but a wide range of off-nominals as well, demonstrating the full robustness and gaining confidence in the robustness of the aircraft. From there, we'll go into preflight checks, taxi tests, then into first flight."

Fancher added:

"I also want to talk about the seven day intermediate gauntlet test, but to give you a sense for the maturity accelerating on the program originally that seven day gauntlet test was scheduled for not long before first flight. We've actually pulled that to the left, because quite frankly the systems are mature and ready to take it earlier from where we originally planned."

Boeing originally planned an eight-day final gauntlet ahead of preflight checks, but now says:

"Some of the final gauntlet testing has been moved into intermediate gauntlet tests to help retire risk earlier by getting through those test sequences."

The company declined to specify the revised duration of the final gauntlet, saying only that "it will be much shorter."

neil330

I'm presuming he meant like day etc....

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MarinerOne

Shows you where MY mind is ... by golly I think you're right!

It's funny how you read things and you get an immediate (mis)interpretation, even if it's meant in a different way ...

As far as flight DATES are concerned, that's what's "up in the air" ... no pun intended ...

I have a grade school chum who works at Boeing on this very program, in the Flight Test group, and this is what he just emailed me today - mind you he is a Boeing employee and even he doesn't have all the scoop!

No simple answer here, sorry.

There is no solid date but June 19th seems to be written on a few work websites. My guess is that this is absolutely the earliest possible date if many hoops are jumped through successfully.

My group will begin systems testing Final Gauntlet software on June 2. This test will run for most of the following week. If they feel confident they were able to get enough testing completed successfully, the airplane can begin ground testing which is what the Gauntlet software was created to support.

The Flight Control System software is still being testing but may be further along than I realize. I hear about the previous day's problems and its always a mix of airplane and lab system issues.

In the end, I'm sure the Seattle Times will know a firm date first.

Sorry I can't be any better help but its still a dynamic program with more testing to complete before first flight.

Mystère

I note that everyone at Boeing seems more cautious than, say, two years ago...

Anyway, I hope we'll finally see this new bird flying soon.

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MarinerOne

You had better believe that ... they (Boeing) have shot themselves in the feet so many times that the only thing they could possibly do is to get down on their "hands and knees" and crawl cautiously - since their feet had already been obliterated years ago.

Their corporate credibility is about as good as GM telling the Treasury Dept. that they have solved their financial problems and won't require any more bailouts.

B773ER

I'd love to see this as well, but I have no idea where to go to observe. Yes, I know, Paine Field, but you know darn well it's going to be very crowded. Certainly there are other places from which to view.

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A Tupolev

For those that did not see this, here is the first start up of the 787 engines. The white smoke is the coating of oil on a new engine that burns off when first started.

Dreamliner One Engine Start from Liz Matzelle on Vimeo.

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Rex

Grab your supplies and a tent already and camp out at the site. Will you do a report during the waiting ?

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MarinerOne

Hey Randy ... been in touch with a lady in charge of the Visitor's center at Everett and she told me to view the takeoff from atop the roof top there or something to that effect. All I know at this point is that I'll be there many hours in advance because I'm comin' up from SAN and I'd rather get there early and stand around with a good spot than otherwise. We've been emailing back and forth and as the date draws closer she'll give me some better info.

Just a thought here - but maybe it'd be fun to organize a little DAC meet-n-greet for those planning on attending this momentous event?

MarinerOne

One other consideration for all those interested in viewing the first flight in person - the 787 will be TAKING OFF at Paine Field (Everett) but LANDING at Boeing Field in Renton - approximately three to five hours later.

It is conceivable to view BOTH events - which I will ATTEMPT to do - in that timeframe - I didn't buy a HD Sony camcorder for nothin'!!!

B773ER

I think the center opens at 9:00. It would be fun to have a M-n-G.

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B773ER

Or simply do both. lol

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MarinerOne

I say "let's do it then!" ... it'd be nice meetin' you Randy ... and others too as well!

B773ER

I wonder who else from the forum will be attending?!? Dylan? Russell/Crownvic?

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MarinerOne

Tupe ... you goin'??? Being the Boeing-fan you and I both are, I would almost "expect" you to make the trip up north!

C-FITL

Well, its about time! Sorry for so many posts guys, I have been away for threr days...

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MarinerOne

Welcome back ... and we'll try and keep you posted as to the updates on 'first flight'!

Tamizi TS

Looking forward to the first flight of the Dreamliner!

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MarinerOne

For interesting reference on how a first "test flight" goes, here's an excellent video produced by the Boeing company narrating the first flight of the magnificent Boeing 777 on June 12, 1994 (coincidentally my wife's birthday too )

Justino

That would be pretty awesome! If I can find a good ticket deal to SEA then I'm there!

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MarinerOne

It'd be fun to do that for sure - hopefully airfare from Orlando to Seattle isn't to bad ... the biggest issue here is that they probably won't announce the first flight date until about a week before it is actually confirmed, because they want to be 100% sure they have everything dialed in test-wise.

That means airfare rates won't be as good as buying them 2 or 3 weeks in advance. I hope I'm wrong about this, but that's what I've been hearing from my sources, and I have three of them feeding me info.

1:200Freak

Randy you are so close to the event...you shouldn't miss it for anything!

MarinerOne

I hear he's planning a trip to Disneyland that week ...

Justino

I have a friend who works for Delta and he gets buddy passes and discounted tickets all the time. So that may be another option since Boeing isn't coming out with a First Flight Date yet.

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1:200Freak

Maybe he'll view it from the California Adventure, or the 787 will do a flyover that place if he can't

1:200Freak

Justino aren't you entitled to interline tickets as yet????

MarinerOne

I was just teasin' him ... I don't think he would miss it even if Pope were to pay him a personal visit at his home!

That's the way to do it!

Justino

HA! I wish. I can only go for two (as in no more than two pax for only one trip) stand-by tickets to Europe.

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MarinerOne

Justino ... isn't your father an airline pilot?

Justino

Nope, my grandpa is a FO with World but he doesn't know for how much longer (basically like every other pilot in the commercial world). I think he can get special deals with airlines.

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MarinerOne

Gotcha ... thanks!

1:200Freak

Well that is not a bad deal too...you know the loads, so you know when to get on

MarinerOne

For the latest information on the 787 Flight Test program, go to Flightblogger.

There are some great pics on this page, particularly the air-to-ground photos showing the 787 on the flight line, awaiting further gauntlet testing. They are entering the intermediate phase of the project, which will ultimately lead to the 24/7 testing of the engines in operation for a continuous seven (7) days.

Click on the following link for details of the flight test program.

First flight is getting closer folks!!!

MarinerOne

The 787 has been in the INTERMEDIATE gauntlet phase of testing, as described in the previous post.

Here's some video showing engine runup testing along with some elevator movement by Liz Matzelle on Vimeo.

I have also an unconfirmed source (friend of a friend who works on the 787 program) that first flight will take place on Friday, June 19. Not sure how accurate that is, but I just got that information today and will follow up to find out more.

B-16707

*yawn @ boeing

hahah

peak airways

Whoever ends up going better be posting some photos!

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MarinerOne

I'm gonna be there for sure ... how 'bout you Kaitanium???

It's been a couple of years since your last visit ...

UPDATE REGARDING FIRST FLIGHT DATE of POSSIBLY JUNE 19th (FRIDAY)

The reason Boeing may want to conduct first flight on that day, based on my internal source, is because the Paris Air Show is from June 19th through 21st, and they would very much like to show video of the 787 flying during the course of the event - if at all possible. That would explain why the June 19th date has been quoted by several sources.

MarinerOne

Here's an engine run-up test from yesterday ... there's VISIBLE proof the engines DO work!

Dreamliner Engine Test from Liz Matzelle on Vimeo.

FOLLOW-UP on the cause of the smoke by Dominic Gates of the Seattle Times (aerospace reporter)

I'm the Seattle Times aerospace reporter. Let me jump in on two issues of contention in this comment thread: The cause of the smoke we saw yesterday and the lightning threat.

First, the smoke from the engines. What we saw yesterday was NOT the first engine run.

The engines were fired up for the first time back on May 21. On that day, we saw initial bursts of white smoke. As some of the expert commenters here have noted, that came from the burning off of oil used to lubricate and protect the innards of the engines during the long period between when they are built and when they are first switched on.

But on Monday, June 1, what was going on was a "gauntlet relight test."

The gauntlet tests involve many engine tests, including some where the engineers interrupt and abort the engine start-up just shy of the fuel ignition. That's what they did yesterday, according to a Boeing person who knows. What looked like smoke coming out the back of the engine was really unignited evaporating fuel. Ater cooling, the engineers re-lighted the engines normally -- and there was no smoke.

According to Boeing, "this was the expected result for the test condition."

ccs757

YAY!!! I hope it's on June 19!!!! Finally!!!!! can't wait to see it flying!!

B773ER

It's exciting to see an actual aircraft after all this time. lol.

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Horizon CRJ700

If its June 19th, I will definitely be there. Looking forward to meeting all of you!

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MarinerOne

For me, almost ANYTIME this YEAR would be good ... to be able to narrow it down to one month is almost like a minor miracle. I'm hoping for a successful test flight program regardless when, but this month will be VERY welcome indeed!

B-16707

HECK NO. for all i am concerned with, once i get there, they will delay the flight again. i aint ever going to everett again to see the first flight of anything boeing. they wasted my time.

im bitter....hahahahahhaha

A Tupolev

I'm impressed M1! You must be independently wealthy if you can afford to take the time to camp out for a month in Washington just to see a plane fly. It must be nice.

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MarinerOne

Nope ... not that 'wealthy' ... just going to be flyin' up there as soon as the FORMAL announcement is made as to DOFF (date of first flight).

Even if I have one week's notice, I'm going to do it, because it's something I've been 'dreaming' about for quite some time ... plus I didn't buy this SONY HD camcorder for nuthin' ...

A Tupolev

When you have a passion for aviation stuff, you can always find time and money to do something related to it. I took time off and spent money to be on the inaugural flight out of LAX on Virgin America. I flew to SFO, only to get off the plane, turn around and get back on the return flight to LAX just to say I was on the first flight. This week I'm picking up a set of first class airline seats for my home office I'm buying from Dylan. We are all nuts about planes.

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MarinerOne

Unfortunately, I couldn't make it for the A380 test flight ... I was REALLY bummed about that ...

LATEST GAUNTLET TESTING VIDEO from LAST NIGHT (6/2)

Simulated Dreamliner Test Flights from Liz Matzelle on Vimeo.

For all the nitty-gritty details, see FlightBlogger.

...

MarinerOne

Engine test video courtesy Boeing ... of course someone already posted it on YouTube ...