Yesterday brought the first taxi tests for ZA001, the latest major step on its way to the sky. Chief project pilot Mike Carriker (left seat) and test pilot Randy Neville (right seat) took N787BA out of Stall 105 starting around 10:00 AM PT and had the first 787 back by 4:30 PM PT. 
The tests looked at the low speed handling characteristics of the aircraft by exploring of the anti-skid system, steering, nose gear shimmy and ground loads validation, says a program source. Boeing says that the testing brought Dreamliner One to a top speed of just over 100 knots on runway 16R, still within the low speed range. The company adds that the high speed taxi range is between 120 and 130 knots, with Vr (takeoff) speed closer to 150 knots. Yesterday also saw the first rejected takeoff (RTO) test which was executed using manual toe braking, not the autobrake function.
The autobrake setting, which is located just below the landing gear lever, has seven settings (plus an off setting) that automatically specifies the braking power required. Five of those settings (1, 2, 3, 4 and MAX AUTO) provide a specific rate of deceleration upon landing, while the sixth, DISARM, disengages the autobrake system and releases the brake pressure. The final setting, RTO, which is the standard takeoff setting, automatically applies maximum braking when the throttles are retarded above a certain speed. For the 777, this speed is 85 knots.
P.S. Make sure you watch that video with your speakers ON.
SEVEN GREAT PHOTOS FROM YESTERDAY AFTER THE JUMP
Photos courtesy of Jim Larsen (1, 2), Michael Barrett (3), and Anonymous (4-7)
on July 8, 2009 5:51 PM | Reply
Amazing. Great to finally hear what she sounds like. Great shot with both the Dreamliner and Dreamlifter!
David
on July 8, 2009 11:20 PM | Reply
It's nice to see her moving around on her own. Now, if only the wings would stay attached in flight we'd be ready to go. :)
on July 9, 2009 2:51 AM | Reply
Can't wait for footage from inside the cockpit on this first taxi test day. At least this is some consolation prize for having to wait so much longer for first flight - it's something :)
on July 9, 2009 6:08 AM | Reply
Dave...Ditto on the nose-on D'Lifter pic, def shot-o'-the-day. The only thing that seems to be missing is a thought-balloon "Are you my mommy?".. :)
They say that "if it looks right, it'll fly right", and this girl looks like she'd have trouble staying on the ground in a stiff breeze. I have to admire the restraint of the taxi-test crew. There's just no way I could resist pullin' a "Howard Hughes"...
on July 9, 2009 12:14 PM | Reply
Right on, Stang....I can't imagine how tempted those pilots were to pulling that yoke back.
But at the end of the day, it does no more than my Honda outside. In the last two years, since the rollout, they taken it from pulling it out of the hanger to pushing itself down the runway.
For heaven's sakes....Get this thing off the ground and in the sky! That's where she belongs.
on July 9, 2009 2:48 PM | Reply
Can you help explain the aircraft's strobe lights? They look different from most Boeing jets.
on July 9, 2009 2:50 PM | Reply
Seems everyone missed the anniversary yesterday! 7-8-09
Round and Round the Taxiway she goes... When she flies nobody knows!
on July 9, 2009 3:01 PM | Reply
JR I must say that is the best comment that I have read so far "Round and Round the Taxiway she goes... When she flies nobody knows!" That is defiantly going to be the highlight of my day.
on July 9, 2009 4:33 PM | Reply
I second that Tomb B. Very funny. I had a good laugh with that one!
on July 10, 2009 1:07 AM | Reply
It would be wonderful and great for investors, customers and builders if everything in an extremely complex activity went together perfectly. Seldom does it at the beginning. It has not been the case of the 787. We can write about and criticize Boeing for it, but there are hundreds, maybe thousands there right now striving 24/7 to make things right. In my career, I participated in these fire drills many times.
I remember Aviation Week reporting the unsuccessful 737 program when about fifty units had been delivered. No one remembers that now that it is the most successful airliner ever with more than 5000 in use.
Yes, I want to see the 787 fly safely and the program succeed, but slow down the harsh and negative words and give them a chance to do it right. They will. They are one of only two teams in the world who can make things like this happen.
Ralph M, Dallas, Texas
on July 10, 2009 8:36 PM | Reply
HI FOLKS - RALPH M. - DALLAS - HAS IT RIGHT - HE SOUNDS LIKE AN OLD A+P OR STRESSMAN .
MOST NEW AIRPLANE PROGRAMS GO THRO THIS - ESP. LARGE AIRLINERS WHERE ITS IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN .
HAVING SERVED APPRENTISHIP IN LARGE AIRPLANE MANUFACTURING PLANT IN 52-57 - SHORTS , WE SAW THIS DELAY MANY TIMES .
AND LOTSA TEST PILOTS + CREW WERE KILLED PUSHING IT A BIT TOO HARD - IS THAT WHAT THE PUSHY GUYS WANT ?
GOD LIVES IN SEATTLE AND WILL GET IT RIGHT .
THEY WOULD NOT KNOW HOW TO BUILD A BAD AIRPLANE EVEN IF THEY TRIED , AND I HAVE WORKED ON MOST BOEINGS .
ALL THE BEST J.C. - IN THE LAND OF OZ.
on July 17, 2009 5:05 PM | Reply
Great to see the beastie moving. I can't help but notice the sky is grey. How can you people stand that all year?
on November 18, 2009 3:53 PM | Reply
Ralph,
I commend you on remembering what it is all about, making a safe and reliable aircraft. I have been actively engaged with the DL for the last 3 years, and we had to make changes for sake of safety and performance. As you well knwo that any time you need to revise anything, start adding time to the clock. Unfortunately those who sell make the best guess when making their pitch to sell these things, and the gap between hope and reality sometimes gets bigger with development. The 777 was another one of those where the wonders were promised, but showed later than planned, and she was revoloutionary for her design. So I applaude and appreciate those who remember the difference between reality and marketing!