787 Smokes ‘Em Up

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Key Takeaways:

  • The Boeing 787 Dreamliner's inaugural flight is delayed as engineering fixes are needed to strengthen the wing attachments.
  • Despite the flight delay, the aircraft successfully completed its first taxi tests at Paine Field, reaching speeds of around 100 knots and confirming the brakes' functionality.
  • Boeing has not yet announced further testing or determined a new date for the Dreamliner's first flight.
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Although a first flight for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner will have to wait until engineering fixes strengthen the wing attachments, that doesn’t mean the aircraft has to sit idle. Engineers and test pilots got to run it up and down the runway at Paine Field last Tuesday in its first taxi tests. The aircraft reached speeds of about 100 knots in at least one run and the brakes were tested. They apparently work.

Boeing hasn’t announced any further testing, and a date for the first flight still hasn’t been determined.

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