Boeing 787

Aircraft Information
Aircraft Make: Boeing
Aircraft Model: 787
Aircraft Nickname: Dreamliner
Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Large Jet
FAA Category and Class: Airplane ME Land
Engine Description: Twin Engine

First Flown Information
Sequence First Flown: 165
Date First Flown: 04/30/2010
Location First Flown: KVCV, Victorville, CA
Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Boeing Flight Test (Heather)

Aircraft Experience
As of: 06/06/2020
Number of Hours Flown: 415
Number of Times Flown: 126
Other Aircraft Models Associated: B787-9, B787-9, B787-10

Recollections: Even though the 787 program happened at about the same time as the 747-8 (for which I was the lead FAA Test Pilot), I still got quite a bit of experience testing the 787-8, 9 and -10, including testing like crosswinds, Vmcg, and Maximum Brake energy.

In virtually every way, the Boeing 787 was revolutionary. From it’s advanced aerodynamics, to composite structure (enabling, in part, that aerodynamics), to full 3-axis fly-by-wire flight controls, to advanced engines (from not just one, but two manufacturers), to advanced electrical, pneumatic and avionics systems this airplane was truly “all new”. The target was to improve fuel efficiency by 20% and I think they got close to that.