Boeing donates first 787-8 Dreamliner ZA001 to Nagoya airport

In a clear acknowledgement of the major role by Japan in the development and components of the 787 Dreamliner, Boeing has donated the first 787 flight test airplane to Centrair International Airport in Nagoya. The city is considered home to the Japanese aerospace industry and Centrair is the only airport in the world from which both the 787 main wing and fuselage sections are flown to Boeing’s final assembly plants in Everett and Charleston on modified Boeing 747 freight called the Dreamlifter.

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in assembly. Boeing image.
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in assembly. Boeing image.

787-8 line number ZA001 which used to bear the registration N787BA performed the first flight of the Dreamliner on December 15, 2009. The Boeing flight tests were conducted by a group of six Dreamliners. This particular frame performed a variety of ground and flight tests and focussed on aerodynamics, flight controls and systems performance.

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner ZA001 N787BA takes off on the first flight of a Dreamliner. Boeing image.
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner ZA001 N787BA takes off on the first flight of a Dreamliner. Boeing image.
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner ZA001 N787BA on the first flight of a Dreamliner. Boeing image.
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner ZA001 N787BA on the first flight of a Dreamliner. Boeing image.

While ZA001 was the first of the Dreamliners, it is the last of the three original flight test 787-8 Dreamliners Boeing has donated. Boeing donated airframe number ZA002 to the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, and frame ZA003 to the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington close to Boeing’s main 787 production facilities at Everett.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner first flight

Relive the special moment when a new generation aircraft was introduced to the world. Thanks to Liz Matzelle.

About Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

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