Test Flight

Seeing as people got excited about the test post, I'll give you a real one, by mentioning that Boeing's latest product, the B787 is scheduled for its first test flight today. A live webcast of the event is supposed to have started by now, but currently says "Please stand by."

Takeoff is scheduled for 10 a.m. Seattle time, which is 1800Z. There was a severe winter storm forecast for the US Pacific Northwest today, but being that it's Seattle, that means rain, not snow. There is a low ceiling right now, but the latest from Boeing is that the test crew still plans to taxi out and hold, waiting for appropriate weather for their tests. They have to launch or scrub by 2 p.m. because they want to complete the flight and be down before dark.

In addition to the webcast, a local TV station has a helicopter up, with a live feed.

Thanks to Aluwings for the webcast link and Flightblogger for the latest from Boeing.

Update 1820Z: The airplane is taxiing out, as Boeing Zero Zero One Heavy Experimental. The webcast is pretty amateur, though. The commentator is articulate, but not strong in trivia, specifics and the sportscaster or talk radio host-style gift of the gab that could liven footage of an airplane waiting for taxi. People frequently walk or stand in front of the camera and who ever is doing control will leave the blocked picture up for several seconds before switching to another view.