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
This post was originally published to the internet between 2007 and 2012. Links, images, and embedded media from that era may no longer function as intended.
This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.