KPLU Local News
(2009-12-16)
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Left, Co-pilot Randy Neville and right, Chief test pilot Mike Kerriker
Bellamy Pailthorp photo
Thousands of workers had lined up around the runway near the 787 factory in Everett. Many waited hours in the rainy cold. They said they wanted to see history in the making.
"It works, it works!"
Seeing the huge plane take to the sky was payoff for years of work -- and worry -- about a jet that represents a new way of building things for Boeing, and has been plagued by delays. Tony Cannon drives truck for a Boeing subcontractor.
"Ahh - I can't believe it. Two years late, but it's in the air now. Let's get em sold and flying and bring on the better days."
The Dreamliner stayed in the air for just over three hours. Poor visibility and bad weather cut the first flight short. But chief test pilot Mike Kerriker says the view was great once they got above the clouds at about 7 thousand feet.
"And there was the snow capped Olympics, the straights of San Juan, all framed in the front left window of a 787 at 10,000 feet. That image will be in my mind for the rest of my life."
He says turbulence over eastern Washington caused them to change their planned route. They stayed on the west side of the state and flew several loops instead of long stretches. They were only able to achieve about half of the tests they had hoped to get done during first flight. Co-pilot Randy Neville says the changing itinerary made for a very busy flight, but the new jet performed beautifully.
"The airplane handled fine. Every input that you make, whether on the flight controls, on the engines - we're evaluating each step there. And the airplane responded just like we expected. It flew very nicely, it was a joy to fly."
Despite some cancellations after 5 delays, 840 Dreamliners remain on order - making it the best selling new commercial airline ever. The company says now that this critical milestone is behind them, Boeing is on track to certify and deliver a game-changing airplane by the end of next year.
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