Boeing 777

[rogwar]

I've had the opportunity to fly as a passenger on the the Boeing 777 many times. I was fascinated by the TV special as well on the 777, the design, engines, and such.

About two weeks ago I flew from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo, Brazil on an American Airlines 777. This flight went on to JFK but I was connecting to a 767 going to DFW.

I typically fly business class international so I was fairly close to the front. I thought this might be a good opportunity for a flight deck tour since this was just a stopover so I asked the purser. He took me up front an introduced me to the co-pilot as an aviation enthusiast and holder of a private ticket.

The co-pilot spent about 10 minutes showing me around. I even got to mess with the computer. It's got a laptop type touch pad used a mouse. We even set up some basic routes. All of the instrumentation and everything was truly incredible.

That is an awesome plane up front. In addition, I usually find myself sitting not far from the engines and they are certainly something to hear them spool up and feel the thrust. You can also tell a big difference in takeoff distance between a flight departing with fuel for 11+ hours versus one from the likes of DFW to MIA. The 777 seems to jump up into the air when they are light on fuel.

I'll be flying in one again on Friday to MIA and then on to Santiago, Chile in a 767. I like business class in the 777 much better as well.

Just sharing some experiences

[ravells]

They let a passenger up onto the Fight Deck?

Very trusting of them.

Ravs

[rogwar]

Originally posted by ravells
They let a passenger up onto the Fight Deck?

Very trusting of them.

Ravs

I should have pointed out we had landed at Sao Paulo. We were on the ground and parked at the gate.

The purser did introduce me as a business class passenger and private pilot as well so maybe I got a little extra tour. The copilot and I shook hands, exchanged names, and he said have a seat in the pilot's chair. It was a blast.

[ravells]

Phew!

I was making a note not to fly AA again! On the ground and parked at the gate I can live with!

Ravs

[rogwar]

Originally posted by ravells
Phew!

I was making a note not to fly AA again! On the ground and parked at the gate I can live with!

Ravs

I'd love to annouce on the intercom in flight....

"Hey ya'll back there watch this!"

[AKWeav]

The 777 seems to jump up into the air when they are light on fuel.

I work at the Everett Boeing plant, and have spent a good deal of time on the flightline.  You can always tell what kind of test flight the plane is on by watching the rotation and climb.  

On a B1 (first Boeing test flight), the rotation and climb is normal with a recycling of the landing gear.

On a C1 (customer test flight with Boeing's gas), the pilot usually makes a very high power setting steep climb.  It's pretty awesome to see a large plane like the 777, or 747 climb in the near vertical.

On a delivery flight, a standard take off as can be seen from any airport (usually a long range flight and fuel conservation is a consideration).

[Red Tail 444]

I have a friend who trains anf flies all new 757's for NWA. The stuff he puts these planes through  (all engine stop and restarts, at alt...aborted TO's)..wild stuff...I'm still waiting to get my pass...

[Cobra412]

We had the 777 out here doing extreme flight tests at our base.  They had tons of barrells inside that they filled with water for testing.  They'd do offset loads with the water to see how the plane would react.  It was quite amazing seeing the short takeoff ability of such a large bird.  Their short landings were quite awesome too.  They'd bring it down quick and immediately turn it around and do a max climb takeoff again.