Boeing

Boeing pilots taxied the new 777-200LR Worldliner for the first time today, one of the final steps before the world's longest range commercial airplane makes its first flight.

Boeing's newest 777, capable of connecting virtually any two cities in the world, is scheduled to make its inaugural flight on Tuesday, March 8, from Paine Field in Everett, Wash., depending on weather and other variables.

Capt. Suzanna Darcy-Hennemann, 777-200LR project pilot, and Capt. Frank Santoni, chief 777 program pilot, completed the taxi test, one of many being conducted as the airplane prepares for first flight. The test provides data about the airplane's braking performance and handling characteristics on the ground. It also ensures all the systems perform as designed while the airplane is in motion, providing the flight crew's final validation before first flight.

The pilots during today's test conducted taxi runs at speeds of up to 70 knots, or approximately 80 miles per hour (130 kilometers per hour). The airplane's gross weight for this test was 425,000 pounds (192,777 kilograms).