Boeing's huge 777-9X airplane takes its first flight

cnn ^ | 01/26/2020 | Chris Sloan

[BenLurkin]

The world's longest and largest twin-engine airliner, the Boeing 777-9X, has finally taken to the skies for its maiden flight, offering a ray of hope for the troubled US aviation company following months of grim headlines.

After days of abysmal weather, airplane WH-001 took from Paine Field, home of Boeing's wide-body factory, north of Seattle, on Saturday morning.

The flight had been postponed twice earlier in the week because of poor conditions, but as the aircraft taxied past the press viewing area ahead of takeoff, a rainbow appeared -- perhaps offering a positive portent.

When the moment did finally arrive, WH-001 was greeted by a light eight knot tailwind, six miles visibility, and broken clouds at 3,000 feet as it rocketed down runway 34Left at 9:08 a.m. local time.

As Boeing's newest flagship quickly gathered speed, it left a torrent of spray in its wake. After a takeoff roll of just 30 seconds, the behemoth rotated gracefully into the skies.

The relieved and excited crowd erupted into thunderous applause, though it was masked somewhat by the symphony of the roaring engines.

[Telepathic Intruder]

Those engines are freaking huge.

[rktman]

As long as they don’t call it a 777max.

[BenLurkin]

And if one of hose fails, it will be hard to keep it up. In the air. Flying. The plane.

[polymuser]

Moveable winglets, I see.

[polymuser]

Symphonic, in stereo.

[Telepathic Intruder]

Oh you mean the plane. Once in the air, engine power is not that important for slow steady flight, or landing. It’s going fast that needs both of them.

[PROCON]

CNN Reporter: "OMG, where's the diversity in the flight crew?!"

[Redplum]

Another diversity-designed derivative of a previously successful design. Just wait until they start falling from the sky. Its all fun n games when they're flown by Boeing test pilots, but what happens when it starts flying in the real world??

I'll never step foot on another Boeing aircraft again. Not this kid.

[txnativegop]

Yeah, I have the same concern. I much prefer 3 or 4 engines. do they make 3 engined planes these days? LOL

[Flick Lives]

6-wheel boogies on the main landing gear. Impressive.

[heavy metal]

air bags combined with a supplemental restraint system...

[Moonman62]

I’ll never step foot on another Boeing aircraft again. Not this kid.

...

Yet you’ll get in a car which is much more dangerous.

[deadrock]

[freedumb2003]

>>Yeah, I have the same concern. I much prefer 3 or 4 engines. do they make 3 engined planes these days? LOL<<

727, L-1011, DC-10 — nah, I think only the Ruskies might make ‘em.

Engine tech has gotten so sophisticated that only 74s and the soon-to-be-retired A380s need more than 2 and no one does 3’s anymore (except small Gs maybe?)

[volunbeer]

Pilots on American carriers are generally top-notch aviators. The two horrible crashes were inexcusable, but remember that the same issue had occurred previously and they were easily dealt with on American carriers.

Overall, the safety record of American aviation is very good for such a complex endeavor in complex machines.

[freedumb2003]

>>I’ll never step foot on another Boeing aircraft again. Not this kid.<<

So, you are an Airbus EU diversity inspired (and mostly FRENCH) designed and executed plane guy/gal?

Got it!

[dfwgator]

So if it’s Boeing, you ain’t going?

[freedumb2003]

>>So if it’s Boeing, you ain’t going?<<

And if it is Airbus, it is a must.

(I am stuck on A3xx more often than I like. After a year or so, 1/3 of the seat entertainment units are glitchy, the damn seats don’t operate correctly and fabric is tearing off the walls — to each his/her own I suppose).

[GoldenPup]

Boeing’s huge 777-9X airplane takes its first flight.

Hopefully not to follow in the 737’s footsteps.