Secret 787 first flight for Boeing?

Published 8:58 am Tuesday, May 26, 2009

“I wonder if that’s the 787,” said the man walking behind me on the way to Safeco Field a week ago Sunday for the Mariners-Red Sox game.

A quick glance up at the plane flying overhead for the answer: No.

But the man’s comment did spark a moment of panic. Boeing wouldn’t fly it without telling anyone, right?

Over the past few months, several readers have asked that very question. I’ve even received e-mails and phone calls from people who swear they saw the Dreamliner in the air.

Although a “secret” flight would cut down on traffic issues around Everett, it wouldn’t behoove Boeing to fly its 787 under the radar — not to mention, given the number of 787-watchers out there, it would be pretty tough for Boeing to pull off.

My thoughts: if word ever got out that Boeing needed to fly its 787 in secret, the company might as well just take out an ad saying it has no confidence in its new airplane.

Sure, the media circus and onlookers make first flight a messy event to coordinate.

But after two years of delays (and a recent round of cancellations), the 787 and Boeing could use the good news. There’s no quicker or more solid way for Boeing to gain back confidence (and perhaps win a few more orders) than to put the 787’s first flight out there for all to see.

So, next time you hear a plane overhead, rest assured, it’s probably not the Dreamliner. When the 787 flies, you’ll know.