3 weeks after grounding, Boeing sends 787 on test flight
SEATTLE - Boeing sent a 787 up on a test flight Saturday, the first since the new airliner was grounded three weeks ago because of a battery fire in Boston and an emergency landing in Japan.
The aircraft took off from Boeing Field in Seattle and spent nearly two and a half hours flying back and forth over the inland Columbia Plateau. It landed at Boeing Field shortly before 3 p.m. PST. According to flight-tracking website FlightAware, the aircraft flew for 1,131 miles, slightly more than the 919 planned.
The Federal Aviation Administration granted permission for test flights on Thursday.
The 787 is the first commercial airliner to rely heavily on lithium-ion batteries, the same kind used in cellphones. Each plane has two of the 63-pound blue power bricks, one near the front to provide power to the cockpit if the engines stop, and one near the back to start up the auxiliary power unit, which is essentially a backup generator.
On Jan. 7, a battery on a plane that had recently landed in Boston short-circuited and caught fire. Nine days later, a battery on an All Nippon Airways plane started smoking, forcing an emergency landing in Japan.
During Saturday's test flight, the crew monitored the performance of the main and auxiliary batteries. Special equipment onboard the jetliner allowed the crew to observe and record detailed battery performance in normal flight conditions, said Boeing Co. spokesman Marc Birtel.
"Data gathered during the flight is considered part of the investigations into the 787 battery events that occurred in January. For that reason, we cannot share any additional details," Birtel said in a prepared statement.
He said more test flights are planned in the coming week.
Boeing Co. has billions of dollars tied up in research on the 787, and billions more dollars in 787s parked in Everett and other sites that are waiting to be delivered.
The aircraft took off from Boeing Field in Seattle and spent nearly two and a half hours flying back and forth over the inland Columbia Plateau. It landed at Boeing Field shortly before 3 p.m. PST. According to flight-tracking website FlightAware, the aircraft flew for 1,131 miles, slightly more than the 919 planned.
The Federal Aviation Administration granted permission for test flights on Thursday.
The 787 is the first commercial airliner to rely heavily on lithium-ion batteries, the same kind used in cellphones. Each plane has two of the 63-pound blue power bricks, one near the front to provide power to the cockpit if the engines stop, and one near the back to start up the auxiliary power unit, which is essentially a backup generator.
On Jan. 7, a battery on a plane that had recently landed in Boston short-circuited and caught fire. Nine days later, a battery on an All Nippon Airways plane started smoking, forcing an emergency landing in Japan.
During Saturday's test flight, the crew monitored the performance of the main and auxiliary batteries. Special equipment onboard the jetliner allowed the crew to observe and record detailed battery performance in normal flight conditions, said Boeing Co. spokesman Marc Birtel.
"Data gathered during the flight is considered part of the investigations into the 787 battery events that occurred in January. For that reason, we cannot share any additional details," Birtel said in a prepared statement.
He said more test flights are planned in the coming week.
Boeing Co. has billions of dollars tied up in research on the 787, and billions more dollars in 787s parked in Everett and other sites that are waiting to be delivered.
KARMA, no, I think its your bias and prejudice trumping your ability to reason.....
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To put the 787 in scope, many new and novel ideas were introduced into the making of a technological advanced aircraft that has no peer in the commercial aircraft market.
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This country, to its betterment, brought a new possibility to peoples lives with the courage of pioneering the previous unknown, of the wilderness. Were mistakes made along the way, of course, its the nature of venturing into the uncertainties. Look at our country and how many positive things have advanced to the world because of that spirit.
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I find it a bit funny how Monday morning quarterbacks somehow think they are wise, so much so they share this wisdom with others, thinking it holds they same value they assign to it. Clueless, or just ill, posting to faceless message boards to fill a void in their character, I can only guess. I do know for certain that leaders of mankind don't pause to give heed to such opines, no, they are too busy trying to bring advances, and betterment, to the world they share with all..... peace!
 @raydawg Thank god we have authoritarians and dicks that are so dismissive of the thoughts and ideas of others as if they had a right to voice their opinions over the opinions of others.
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This great country performed it's many noteworthy accomplishments right here in this country before we had corporate apologists like you around and since we started down the road of off shored manufacturing , its been going downhill for this country, this society, and families ever since. Your help and support in destroying this economy and the future of the families in this country is noted and in closing, thanks for your efforts from the 2% of which you'll never be a part of.
@T_BONE_WALKER @raydawg Gee if you read my post again you'll see the 4th word into my script I own my remarks by clarifying it as such.
You, on the other hand seem bent on name calling and surmising, all the while affording yourself the authoritarian position you seem to think the opposition is not entitled to.
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Did you get stuck with investing in buggy whips?
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As to your remarks this country is going downhill ever since sharing the wealth, could you not perhaps extend your remarks to include....Â
Since they removed the hoods from their heads?
Allowed women equal rights?
Or, just accepting plane old diversity as a way to learn and appreciate others who have a different life experiences, cultures, beliefs, than our own?
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And in closing.... I don't think I would want to be part of 2% of anything, if you're an example of it.
 @raydawg Forget your forth word and the rest of your intent to confuse the issue and instead read from here on Dick.
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"To put the 787 in scope," (oh high and mighty)
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We don't want or need your authoritarian scope, thanks.
 @raydawg So true. The true leaders of the 787 program don't even hear this garbage. They are too busy working hard figuring out how to make things work better, truly advance the technologies and in the end will have a superior airplane. But what a beautiful bird she is... they'll get her humming. It's just going to take some more time.
This is the KARMA slap that Boeing gets for outsourcing much of the 787 production and attempting to break a labor union to boot.
 @nwlib Washington state needs to be more business friendly, plain and simple. Way too much government interference not to mention family budget wrecking labor strikes to deal with here. I for one don't blame them one iota for moving parts manufacturing out of the country and some of their airplane assembly to another area of the country who values their presence. Besides, it's good business to spread things around and see how the work force is in other parts- get some people who appreciate their jobs. These are things they are clearly going to have to do in order to stay competitive against GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZED Airbus. Hopefully they will continue to assemble the planes in the U.S. With the way I see some people raising their kids, I'm having serious doubts. Way too many people raising their kids with an "auto-entitled" attitude. Not all, but many.
Took 3 weeks to find a pilot but finally got one from Syrian Airlines. He has been provided with an enhanced, instant work visa/security clearance without the usual background or pre-employment checks done.
 @T_BONE_WALKER I'm prepared to apologize if you are prepared to provide any information to substantiate your claim. Of the three dozen test pilots in the 787 development I really doubt they had to cut any corners to find a couple for this test flight.
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http://seattletimes.com/html/boeingaerospace/2010509548_787profile15.html
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 @Joe S.Ragman Prepared to apologize for what, not knowing sarcasm when it presents itself? Ok, I accept your apology. thanks
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It just seems they rely  on conputers to much these days for flight testing. The real test is putting real miles on in the air!  Gosh, something as simple as a battery to. With my cars I just go with the time proven lead batterys but I know with Boeing it would make the Greenies whine!
@JD jetliners dont use lead acid batteries, they use Nichad and they do put miles on in the air.
 @JD You have somehow found a way to direct the blame towards those who care about the environment.
Best of luck. Hopefully Boeing isn't pulling the test pilots from South Carolina.
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They should have done this testing during the 787 development that could have saved a whole lot of $$$$$$$.
The test flight instrumentation should include the 8 cell balance current measurements. I believe they will find them way to low to assure cell balance. Hope they figure this one out pretty damn soon.
Hazard pay for the pilots I hope. ; )
If this failed,McNerney should go !!!