Thursday, July 9, 2009

Boeing 787 Performs first Taxi and High Speed Tests



Boeing 787 N787BA (ZA001) on the Rwy at Paine Field.
(Photos by T.C. Howard via Jim Goodall)

The 787 may still be weeks to months away from taking its first flight, but the new plane did get to stretch its legs a bit Tuesday.

Test pilots were taking the 787 for a low-speed taxi test around Paine Field's runway and taxi lanes. They were checking the steering and braking system, a Boeing spokesman told KOMO News. It's the first time the 787 has moved on a runway under its own power.

The 787 program has been beset by delays. Initially supposed to be delivered in the first quarter of 2008, the delivery schedule has been pushed back five times.

There were high hopes the plane would take its first flight in June, but the company announced it needs to reinforce small areas near the connection of the wings and fuselage before conducting the test flight.

A revised schedule for the flight, as well as first deliveries to customers, will not be announced for several weeks.
(KOMO 4 TV - Seattle)

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