Boeing's Beautiful Moment

The attractive,two-tone airliner taxied on a dreary day last week after two years of exasperation.Not especially big,its swept-up wing tips rolling down the tarmac marked an instant of pride for American industry.After many delays,the white and blue Boeing 787 Dreamliner was finally ready for its maiden flight.Powered by two Rolls Royce engines,the replacement for the 767 had been in demand for its fuel economy.Constructed of composite materials instead of aluminum,it uses 20% less fuel than older models and,over its lifetime,will result in millions of dollars in savings.
The 787 showed a certain majestic grace as it taxied on the wet runway,taking a long time.It stopped for five minutes,as if contemplating its future,then resumed its trip.It had taken on a persona.Pausing again,it finally went with real speed,causing spray with its wheels.The takeoff was totally smooth,and its flight was indeed dreamlike,light on the wing over forested hills around Everett,Washington's Paine Field.It was flying to Boeing Field in Seattle,beginning the basic tests and system checks in quest of FAA certification.Boeing worker Kevin Hendricks said he was pretty excited;it was a pretty epic moment.He had been working on the 787 for two years.Other 787s were in production behind this one-the first of some 840 planes on order worldwide.Ten 787s have been assembled so far.Eventually,Boeing plans to produce 10 787s a month by 2012.
Boeing's suppliers have been ramping up in anticipation of full production.For them,this was an emotional day,bringing much hope to their factories.The second test flight is scheduled for December 22.