Boeing 787 Dreamliner First Flight

Boeing's Dreamliner take to the skies...

Two years behind schedule, Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner has finally made its maiden flight. The Dreamliner officially left Paine Field in Everett, WA at around 1:25pm EST.

The first flight is a crucial step in what has become one of the most complex aircraft projects ever. Boeing first featured its 787 Dreamliner in a roll-out ceremony held at its Everett assembly factory on July 8, 2007.

The 787 Dreamliner quickly became the fastest-selling wide-body airliner in history with almost 600 orders. Now, two years down the line, a total of 840 Dreamliners have been ordered by 56 customers. And The Dreamliner’s first order to Japan’s ANA is expected to be delivered in the first quarter 2010.

The Dreamliner will carry 210 to 330 passengers and will be the company’s most fuel-efficient airliner – 20 percent more efficient than the company’s 747 – as well as the world’s first major airliner to use composite materials for most of its construction.

The current variations of the 787 are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. However, Boeing originally selected two engine types – the Trent 1000′s and thr General Electric GEnx – and now for the first time in commercial aviation, both engine types will have a standardized interface, allowing any 787 to be fitted with either a GE or the Trent 1000.

With the first Dreamliners scheduled for delivery next year, it won’t be too long before this commercial aircraft will become as commercial as the pre-orders suggested.

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