First flight on a KLM B787 dreamliner to PEK (Beijing)

✈️ Transition to the B787

After only four simulator sessions called a difference training we are allowed to fly the B787 a.k.a the dreamliner, which is a technically a completely different aircraft than the 777. Procedurally however, they are almost identical. Hence the limited sessions required to fly the dreamliner if you have a type rating on the 777.

🔧 Pre-flight Inspection

The Chinese gentleman was showing me how to perform the pre-flight inspection. The zig-zag shape of the engine cowling are called chevrons, they reduce engine noise. They are supposedly inspired by an owl, the quietest flying animal on earth, I remember one of my instructors saying, … I could not find evidence for this claim.

✈️ Rare Ramp Sighting

Parked right next to us: this is something you don’t see every day. A North-Korean operated aircraft of Russian manufacturing namely the Tupolev Tu-204-300.

🏭 Tupolev

Tupolev was founded in 1922 as a subdivision of the U.S.S.R.’s Central Aerohydrodynamics Institute. The Soviet aircraft manufacturer developed many military and commercial aircraft.

After the collapse of the Soviet empire Tupolev was absorbed by the state-owned “United Aicraft Corporation”, an initiative from Putin the consolidate the nation’s knowledge and capacity in aerospace engineering. The Ukraine headquartered Antonov famously evaded this fate.

🌍 Final Note

A competitive commercial jet was never again released, although some attempts were made. Maybe the Chinese have chance.

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