Dreamliner Two off Paine Field. Shortly after takeoff there was a dragging brake indication, floor vibration, and a problem with the nose gear drag brace. Flight was extended about an hour trying to work the gear problem.
ANA JA784A test flight.
N6066Z is the latest 787 on the flightline (to the right of the tent).
Matt, where's the third video? Youtube says it was removed.
Anybody got a closeup of the landing with the open gearbox?
What do you think of the problems that were observed? I kind of expected such problems on ZA001 first flight (I bet there have been several issues that weren't publicly reported.. The captain really looked worried after unboarding). The problem that I find most scary so far is the vibrating floors. Could be a tough one to fix and could add more weight, resulting in a whole chain of other problems.
Oh and a question regarding the doors of the gearbox. Is there something fundamentally new, from a technical point of view? For example, is it now operated electrically instead of pneumatically?
Or how are these doors operated in "normal" planes?
If there's new technology, I'm not surprised there may be problems. If there isn't anything fundamentally new regarding the motor of the doors, I'm surprised there's a problem.
Hope it will be a magnificent plane. And I particularly hope that it will be safer, not less safe than a "normal" plane.
I've noticed that on the second video, the engines sound like chain saws. I guess they aren't optimized for low noise yet?
Next, why don't they have any fighter jet escorte for ZA002's first flight? I mean it's still just the second flight of a very new kind of airplane ever! And there were quite some problems, as we can see. The jet fighters could have told the pilots that the gearbox doors didn't shut properly, supposed the pilots weren't aware of that due to monitoring issues.
To answer an earlier question, ZA002 did indeed have a T-33 chase plane, which helped the pilots determine which actions to take regarding the gear door. See the audio posted by Matt to hear some of the radio chatter regarding the issues.
Also, I believe that the inlets mentioned earlier are for the aircraft's environmental control system.
Thank so much for the audio. It is not only help to get a clearer picture of the issues but also to give some insight into the use of the chase plane and the type of communications between chase/TM/crew that occur on these test flights.
Is there anything new on the "floor vibration" problem? That sounded to me like the most serious, but... if that only occurs during gear retraction, maybe it's not a big deal(?). I have flown fully loaded 747's before, and right after takeoff (during gear retraction I'm sure) there is a major vibration and noise. I wonder if that's related to this, or if that is just the wheels spinning with no weight.
Great !!!
ReplyDeleteDo you know what the outcome of the problems where?
ReplyDeleteThe engines sounded a bit rough to me, does anybody else think so?
Matt, where's the third video? Youtube says it was removed.
ReplyDeleteAnybody got a closeup of the landing with the open gearbox?
What do you think of the problems that were observed? I kind of expected such problems on ZA001 first flight (I bet there have been several issues that weren't publicly reported.. The captain really looked worried after unboarding). The problem that I find most scary so far is the vibrating floors. Could be a tough one to fix and could add more weight, resulting in a whole chain of other problems.
Oh and a question regarding the doors of the gearbox. Is there something fundamentally new, from a technical point of view? For example, is it now operated electrically instead of pneumatically?
ReplyDeleteOr how are these doors operated in "normal" planes?
If there's new technology, I'm not surprised there may be problems. If there isn't anything fundamentally new regarding the motor of the doors, I'm surprised there's a problem.
Hope it will be a magnificent plane. And I particularly hope that it will be safer, not less safe than a "normal" plane.
Oh now the third video seems to work again. Strange Youtube.
ReplyDeleteHeh, just realized that the third video was a 777, not the ZA002.
ReplyDeleteWhat are these two inlets in front of the main wings / wing gearbox for? (see around 0:20 of second video)
ReplyDeleteI didn't notice these on the ZA001. Maybe just due to the different livery?
Oh I have so many questions, sorry.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that on the second video, the engines sound like chain saws. I guess they aren't optimized for low noise yet?
Next, why don't they have any fighter jet escorte for ZA002's first flight? I mean it's still just the second flight of a very new kind of airplane ever! And there were quite some problems, as we can see. The jet fighters could have told the pilots that the gearbox doors didn't shut properly, supposed the pilots weren't aware of that due to monitoring issues.
Great videos Matt. The inclusion of ATC makes them even better.
ReplyDeleteTo answer an earlier question, ZA002 did indeed have a T-33 chase plane, which helped the pilots determine which actions to take regarding the gear door. See the audio posted by Matt to hear some of the radio chatter regarding the issues.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I believe that the inlets mentioned earlier are for the aircraft's environmental control system.
The new 787 right of the tent, what is the line number please? Thanks
ReplyDeleteThank so much for the audio. It is not only help to get a clearer picture of the issues but also to give some insight into the use of the chase plane and the type of communications between chase/TM/crew that occur on these test flights.
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt. Great job.
ReplyDeleteIs there anything new on the "floor vibration" problem? That sounded to me like the most serious, but... if that only occurs during gear retraction, maybe it's not a big deal(?). I have flown fully loaded 747's before, and right after takeoff (during gear retraction I'm sure) there is a major vibration and noise. I wonder if that's related to this, or if that is just the wheels spinning with no weight.
Great video Thank you for being at Paine field
ReplyDeletethe 787 to the right of the tent is ZA102 LN9 isnt it?
ReplyDelete