Boeing Dreamliner produces near-vertical takeoff ahead of Paris air show

indianexpress.com ^ | June 13 2015 | Vishnu Varma

[Berlin_Freeper]

For aviation enthusiasts, this is a video that is un-missable. It serves as a reminder that planes, commercial or military, can do wonders and perform magic in the air. Not to forget those tiny humans, sitting in the cockpit, maneuvering these giant metal birds.

On Thursday, Boeing released a spectacular video, showing it’s flagship 787-9 Dreamliner performing a near-vertical take-off and then some really great gliding and swerving movements before returning to the ground. The video was a rehearsal ahead of the Paris Air Show where Boeing’s expert crew will be doing some superb flying.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Boeing Prepares the 787-9 Dreamliner for the 2015 Paris Air Show

[Fred Hayek]

Tex Johnson?

[jsanders2001]

The aerodynamic design, particularly the wings remind of many birds that are highly maneuverable in flight. I’m thinking they took a page out of nature’s handbook on this one because that bird is highly maneuverable for its size.

[Yo-Yo]

Given the requirement for a single engine takeoff, almost any airliner can perform that maneuver when nearly empty.

Boeing did the same thing with a 787-9 last year at the Farnborough Air Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va5HGMlRSdQ

[BitWielder1]

Don't try that with a full load.

[Riflema]

Since when was 30 degrees “almost vertical”. More like 50% of vertical, no?

[Moonman62]

Since when was 30 degrees “almost vertical”. More like 50% of vertical, no?

...

I don’t know but this is at least the third thread with people thinking it’s nearly vertical.

[Riflema]

Yes, the Boeing "pre-Paris" video is shot from a very interesting angle to insinuate "near vertical". The Farnborough one helpfully is captioned "near 30 degrees".

For a serious piece of engineering, this type of hype is not needed.

[Moonman62]

I think the 787 has really beautiful wings. They flex quite a bit too.

[Riflema]

Oops, should have read the full piece. They fess up:
As far as the near vertical take-off is concerned, this is what a 767 pilot told CNN: “Some of what you’re seeing on takeoff is a trick of perspective. It looks like the takeoff is at a near vertical 90 degree angle — trust me it’s not.

[John S Mosby]

Project manager for 787 said that there is 26 tons of
carbon fiber on the aircraft- replacing many more tons of older material/metals etc. subject to stress wear and excessive weight for the size of the vehicle.

This plane is both lighter and larger. Imagine.

Take a look at the wings flexing in the video to see what carbon fiber laminates capability.

And the lighter weight gives near vertical takeoff and rapid recovery to level flight.

[Darth Reardon]

No, 33%

[central_va]

There are very few planes that can accelerate going vertical.

[ken5050]

Anything over 30 degrees angle of atack would probably result in a stall..

I don't think you could do this with any Airbus pane..their fly-by-wire would override it..

[Riflema]

Well, depends on what you’re measuring. At 30 degrees you will ascend 50 ft for every 100 ft of air you travel through. Vertical, 90 degrees, you gain 100 ft for every 100 ft of travel. Thus 50%.

[oust the louse]

That’s still pretty impressive...

[central_va]

I wonder if the stall warning alarm was blasting in their ears.....

[Berlin_Freeper]

You should get out more.

[Demiurge2]

Needs Tex Johnson doing a roll.

[lacrew]

I think 45 degrees is half of vertical - 100 feet up for every 100 feet horizontally travelled. 90 degrees would be 100 feet up and zero feet travelled horizontally. 30 degrees would be a third of vertical or 33 percent of vertical, as the other poster noted. Btw that would still make my stomach sink.