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.
DISCOVER OUR SUPERCAR AUCTION SITE – View live auctions on SBX Cars
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
With a dual English and French degree and NCTJ diploma, Amelia began her career doing award-winning writing and editing for titles and brands spanning Women's Health, the Telegraph, Boots, and Vitality. Amelia joined the SB Media family in September of 2023, bringing her expertise in SEO and reader takeaway. As Lead Editor, her superpower is translating technical jargon about the mechanical workings of a supercar into a shareable story.
