WASHINGTON — A video of Boeing’s 787-9 ‘Dreamliner’ rehearsing for the upcoming Paris Air Show this weekend, is wowing viewers for what appears to be a near-vertical take off:
There is some speculation about how “vertical” the take-off actual was. CNN asked Boeing to share specifics and the company declined saying, “we unfortunately aren’t sharing specifics about the profile such as bank angles at this time.”
“Some of what you’re seeing on takeoff is a trick of perspective,” 767 pilot Patrick Smith told CNN. “It looks like the takeoff is at a near vertical 90 degree angle — trust me it’s not.”
Boeing announced in April that it was delaying further delivery of the 787, citing the slow growth of international travel. The Dreamliner is made largely from lightweight carbon material to save on fuel. The planemaker disclosed that it was still losing money on the jet, but had hoped to begin breaking even on each delivery later this year.
