Airplanes

Pilots share footage showing how they push Boeing planes to their limits in prep for flying

  • Pilot POV shows how the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is prepped
  • A key test involves taking off at the lowest speed possible
  • The tail has to be placed on the runway without slowing the plane

Published on Mar 19, 2025 at 7:24 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones

Last updated on Mar 20, 2025 at 9:26 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by Tom Wood

Chief test pilot Mike Karriker shared his flight-deck POV of how pilots prepped the Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes for flight back in 2011.

A key test, Velocity Minimum Unstick (VMU), determines the lowest speed at which the Boeing can take off and involves carefully keeping the tail on the runway without slowing the plane.

The skilled flight crew tested the Dreamliner’s performance on wet pavement, dumping over 50,000 gallons of water on the runway and performing landings with both manual and automatic braking systems.

Pilots also tested the plane’s ability to handle crosswinds, with winds reaching 30 knots, requiring pilots to maneuver the plane into a crabbed position before aligning with the runway.

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London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness, and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the senior content writer and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms, and coveted brands. When her OOO is on from writing about cars and heading up on-site SEO you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym, or exploring the city she loves.