Boeing stopped performing airshow flight demonstrations 28 years ago, citing the safety risks involved in putting an airliner through maneuvers better suited to fighters and aerobatic airplanes. That all changed this week at the Farnborough International Airshow in England with impressive routines by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner that showed off the advanced jet’s capabilities to the delight of showgoers.
Boeing said it took every precaution to ensure the daily routines were flown safely, but the company also admitted that the show program became more aggressive once the 787’s pilots realized they would have to tighten their turns to avoid noise-sensitive areas around the Farnborough airport. The result was performances more memorable than any flown by a commercial airliner at a major airshow in recent years.
