In the air at last – First flight of the Dreamliner from Boeing

On Tuesday at 10.27 a.m. local time (7.27 p.m. MEZ) finally it was time for takeoff. Around 12.000 Boeing employees and fans were able to witness the 787 rolling over the airstrip of the Boeing plant in Everett near Seattle (US State of Washington) lifting off.  The only problem on the day was a front carrying rain that shortened the test flight from five and half hours to three hours.
This is a relative small hurdle compared to the three years of endless series of mishaps in the planning and construction phases combined with massive financial burdens, customer complaints and cancellation of orders. “The development was difficult ” chief executive Jim McNerney told journalists.

The 57 metre long plane flew from North America‘s west coast over the Pacific and was accompanied by two military jets.
Captain Mike Carriker and Co-Pilot Randy Neville went to an altitude of 4572 metres and reached a maximum speed of 333 kilometres per hour. Secured with parachutes which is required for maiden flights the passengers conducted a number of different tests on board.
The Dreamliner is going to receive its official licence in 2010 and the first deliveries should be made in the fourth quarter of 2010. Presently Boeing has 865 orders for the Dreamliner on its books. It is the first model of Boeing in more than ten years and is already regarded as one of the most successful constructions.

Boeing has taken a step into a new segment with the Dreamliner. For the US aircraft constructer this is the first new plane model for more than ten years. The new cerosin saving construction of the machine is a persuasive purchase argument and convinced the airline carrier Air Berlin to buy the 25 Boeing 787.

By using the light material CFK (”carbon”) the Dreamliner will consume 20 percent less fuel compared to planes that have the same size.
Renowned airliners such as United Airlines, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic are looking forward to integrating the Dreamliner into their fleet.