777-200LR Flight Test Journal: Archives
08 November 2005
'Going the Distance' and setting a world record
This is a very proud and exciting time for everyone at Boeing, especially for those in the 777-200LR program. As most readers of this journal know, the -200LR motto is "Going the Distance." In a matter of hours, that motto will be tested in a very big way. WD002, the second 777-200LR will depart Hong Kong and fly eastbound to London's Heathrow Airport, without stopping anywhere in between - attempting to set a world distance record. The flight is scheduled to take off late in the evening on Nov. 9, Hong Kong time. That's just a few hours from now.
The 777-200LR will take off with a full load of fuel and 35 passengers and crew, flying nonstop on a route that is likely to exceed a distance of more than halfway around the world. The flight is expected to last about 23 hours and will require two sets of pilot crews.
A representative from the National Aeronautics Association will fly with the airplane to monitor the record attempt. In addition, representatives of the Guinness Book of World Records will meet the airplane when it lands.
The 35 crew members and passengers who will be onboard for the world record-flight attempt were individually weighed by a representative of the National Aeronautics Association prior to the flight.
The Worldliner will fly farther than any previous commercial jetliner and will surpass two notable current distance records. For an airplane its size and class, the 777-200LR will break and replace the current distance record set by a 747-400 in 1989 that flew 9,200 nautical miles nonstop from London to Sydney. Also the 777-200LR is expected to exceed the distance traveled by a 777-200ER that flew 10,823 nautical miles from Seattle to Kuala Lumpur in 1997, setting a speed and distance record. This record will continue to stand because the 777-200ER was classified in a lighter weight category for its record attempt.
The general flight plan is to come out of Hong Kong across Taiwan, up across the north Pacific, across North America - either the U.S. or Canada - across the Atlantic and into London. The exact route of flight won't be decided until three hours before take-off to take maximum advantage of winds.
The long flight is made possible primarily by three auxiliary fuel tanks that will be available options on production -200LR airplanes and the super-fuel-efficient, reliable General Electric GE90-115B engines. Favorable tail winds and good overall weather are important factors, too.
Coming Thursday
Did the 777-200LR set a new record? Exactly how far did it fly? How long did it take? Plus, a look at the planning required to attempt a record flight.