Boeing quietly rolls out 787-9

Late the night of July 17th, Boeing moved the first 787-9 (ZB001) from the 40-24 bay to the paint shop. The move to the paint shop was right on schedule for the program (which was set 3 years ago), with entry into service for the first aircraft with Air New Zealand in 2014.

The 787-9 adds a 20 foot extension, allowing for another 40 seats. It also increases the MTOW to 251,000 pounds, while increasing range to 8,500 nm. ZB001 will be powered by the Package C version of the Rolls Royce Trent 1000 which increases thrust to 74,000 pounds, compared to the Package B now on the 787-8. The fourth test article will have the PIP-2 upgrade for the GE engines.

After painting, Boeing will have a formal roll out for employees only.

Under the cover of darkness Boeing rolled out the first 787-9 from the 40-24 bay of the factory in Everett, Washington, in the late hours of 17 July, achieving a milestone event for the first stretched variant of the 787-8 with as little fanfare and public scrutiny as possible.

The first of four flight test vehicles rolled out of the factory to travel to the nearby paint facility. Boeing plans to stage a formal roll-out ceremony after the aircraft is painted for employees only. Afterwards, the aircraft will begin a months-long flight test campaign and an entry into-service with Air New Zealand in mid-2014.

The 6.07m (20ft) stretch of the fuselage adds space for roughly 40 more seats compared to the 787-8, while increasing maximum take-off weight by 10% to 251,000kg (553,000lb) and increasing top range by 3.95% to 15,800km (8,500nm).

www.flightglobal.com...

Thats the one with the slick good looking wings right zaph? The "dream liner" or whatever it was called on those 3d renders... sick design for a commercial jet!

Had no idea it would be out now. Thought it was a "future idea" like any good looking bird

Looks better proportioned than the -8. Possibly the best looking airliner that will be in the skies.

reply to post by FraternitasSaturni


The -8 series is flying now, this is a stretched version. It's going to use some revolutionary new technologies as well.

Boeing just plain kicks azz...I want to see the paint job, maybe they'll make it dpecial for the -9...what are air new zealands colors, I wonder~~ 4 days in the paint hanger...

Originally posted by Zaphod58
reply to post by FraternitasSaturni

 

The -8 series is flying now, this is a stretched version. It's going to use some revolutionary new technologies as well.

I found this acticle showing a few of the new technologies that will be used on the 787-9.

787-900

The 787-9 came out of the paint booth last night.

Originally posted by Stealthbomber

Originally posted by Zaphod58
reply to post by FraternitasSaturni

 

The -8 series is flying now, this is a stretched version. It's going to use some revolutionary new technologies as well.

I found this acticle showing a few of the new technologies that will be used on the 787-9.

787-900

Dielectric Barrier Discharge goes white world, woo hoo. Let's cheer for the Boeing 808 Plasmaliner.

The first 787-9 has seen the light of day, and has begun initial ground tests prior to first flight. ZB001 is the 126th 787 to roll off the line, ZB002 and ZB021 both of which will also enter the test program are already in final assembly. There will be a fourth aircraft that will enter late in the program for function and reliability testing.

Great photo of the jet:

www.airliners.net...

reply to post by C0bzz


It is a pretty beast. I can't wait to see her in the air.

Boeing expects to move to the final gauntlet tests this week. They've begun the first round of gauntlet tests, and if all goes as expected can move to final gauntlet tests this week. Final gauntlet is a closed loop simulation of first flight. Once final gauntlet testing is complete, first flight will follow not long after.

Sources are reporting that first flight could be as early as next week, for the 787-9. They've tentatively put the flight in the middle, or end of the week, which would be early according to Boeing's schedule.

Hey Mbkennel,

I was just reading through your post about the DBD on the 787. I've been doing a bit of research on plasma and stealth lately, I've found this patent from Boeing which I think pertains to what you were talking about.
patft1.uspto.gov...,172,547.PN.&OS=PN/8, 172,547&RS=PN/8,172,547

You may have already seen it, but if not I thought you might be interested in having a look at it.


reply to post by mbkennel

Boeing has announced that depending on weather and other factors, first flight could be as early as Tuesday.

Boeing plans on a first flight for tomorrow depending on weather, and taxi tests today. I'm so mad though, because I went right past Everette Field on I-5 and you can't see it from the road.

If anyone is interested Boeing will be webcasting starting at 0940 PST.

www.newairplane.com...

The boeing 787. It's what a "scare bus" looks like when boeing builds one. No thanks. A plane that catches fire on the ground if you leave it powered up in the same spot for more than ten minutes isn't exactly appealing. There's only one airplane flying in the world that is a bigger piece of junk than the 787 and that's the F-35 Lightning II (The Widowmaker!) Boeing should stick to what it does best. Making parts for DECENT airplanes!,
besides, who wants to fly on an airplane that can be hacked by an 11 year old!

reply to post by CarbonBase


The 787 is no more dangerous than any other aircraft in the skies. Look at the problems that the A380 had with the wings cracking, or the A340 and 777 service entries. Every plane has had problems on service entry, that were worked out in the end. The 787 just has more scrutiny on it because of all the new technologies.

Boeing aircraft are as good as or better than any others out there. The 747 set precedent for large widebody aircraft, and the 737 is the most prolific aircraft in the world.

Beautiful take off, about 1107am PDT for a 4-5 hour mission.