Thursday February 16, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Boeing's 787 jetliner makes first test flight

Business Dec. 16, 2009 - 05:06AM JST ( 11 )

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11 Comments

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The758Dec. 16, 2009 - 12:20PM JST

Nice to see it got off the ground okay
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wanderlustDec. 16, 2009 - 01:03PM JST

Just hope the very different composite and metal materials stay together under the stress of flying - seems to be one of the biggest issues with composites.
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stirfryDec. 16, 2009 - 01:49PM JST

good thing the tail assembly didn't snap off in the rain
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hudagreeDec. 16, 2009 - 09:25PM JST

About time! Anyway, if things go as planned, sitting in a Dreamliner across Pacific will beat current models.
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japaneseno1Dec. 16, 2009 - 11:11PM JST

boeing is more advanced than air bus.
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SargeDec. 16, 2009 - 11:19PM JST

I agree with hudagree, it's about time!

"Boring is good in aviation"

I like boring take-offs and landings myself. I wouldn't want an exciting, bumpy take-off or landing with fireworks!
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LostinNagoyaDec. 16, 2009 - 11:47PM JST

Yes, composite materials have unknown results under real pressure, as when flying at 11,000 km. Test pilots must have the most dreadful job in the world.

Airbus and Boeing are doing a great job with more eco-friendly engines. My dream is flying in A380.
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JohnBeckerDec. 17, 2009 - 02:16AM JST

@LostinNagoya: 11,000 km? You mean in Earth orbit? Airliners generally like to fly at about 11,000 meters, not kilometers.

Ask any test pilot (I have) and he'll tell you he has the best job in the world. It's not as dangerous as it used to be - computer modeling and stress studies have taken a lot of the uncertainty out of aircraft design.

Lastly - Airbus and Boeing have nothing to do with aircraft engines, other than bolting them onto their planes. The jet engines used by the airlines are designed and manufactured by General Electric, Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney. The airlines choose which engines they want installed on the planes they order. (Most airframes allow for several engine choices.)
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roomtemperatureDec. 17, 2009 - 03:46PM JST

I saw a clip of the take off on Youtube, including the crowd. Really thought it crashed!!! I heard nothing than "fire engines" cheering.
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LostinNagoyaDec. 18, 2009 - 05:30AM JST

@johnbecker: you're right. I meant 11 kilometers, or 11,000 meters, instead of 11,000 km.
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flammenwerferDec. 19, 2009 - 04:16PM JST

I like this quote "However, it has also been suggested by a fired Boeing engineer that in the event of a crash landing, survivable in a metal plane, the composite fuselage could shatter and burn with toxic fumes"

Yes, carbon fibre shatters very nicely, just look at an f1 car disintegrate in a shower of carbon fibre shards. And all that plastic does make you wonder....

I this lightweight design is partly there to counteract the increasingly obese passengers riding on board.