787-9

Boeing next-generation passenger jet, 787-9 Dreamliner, has made a near-vertical takeoff above Moses Lake, Washington, US.

The company was preparing the Vietnam Airlines-branded aircraft for demonstration at the Paris Air Show, which will be hosted until 21 June.

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During the trials, the 787-9 demonstrated its technical manoeuvre capabilities, Boeing said.

The company has released a video of the rehearsal, which gives the first look of the aircraft to be displayed at the air show.

Boeing 767 pilot Patrick Smith told CNN: "It looks like the takeoff is at a near vertical 90° angle, trust me it’s not.

"Presumably the plane was very light because it wasn’t carrying any passengers, probably had a very light fuel load, no freight, so it would have been able to perform a steeper than normal ascent, but not to the extent the video seems to show.

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"But for demonstration purposes, under lightweight conditions, it’s perfectly natural for this aircraft to do that. It’s nothing dangerous."

"It looks like the takeoff is at a near vertical 90° angle, trust me it’s not."

Last year, Boeing has made a similar attempt with the 787-9 ahead of the 2014 Farnborough Airshow.

Said to be the second and newest member of the 787 family, the 787-9 features a fuselage stretched by 6m over the 787-8.

The aircraft can accommodate up to 40 more passengers and can fly an additional 830km, while offering 20% in fuel efficiency, as well as lower emission levels.

As of May 2015, Boeing has received 509 orders for 787-9, which represents 46% of all the 787 orders from 30 customers worldwide.


Image: The 787-9 has fuselage stretched by 6m over the 787-8. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.

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