Ian Kluft โ
โ๏ธ๐๐Attention avgeeks in Midland/Odessa, Texas: Boeing 777-9 prototype N779XW is on its way from Seattle Boeing Field #KBFI to Midland Int'l Air & Space Port #KMAF. The reason isn't obvious yet, like crosswinds were for a recent flight to Amarillo. The test pilots could just be picking anywhere three hours away to let the plane be seen while performing FAA-required certification testing. On the radio they'll be "Boeing Zero Zero One Heavy". https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/BOE1/history/20260412/1810Z/KBFI/KMAF #aviation #travel #avgeek
Boeing 777-9 flight testing today... They took off from Seattle Boeing Field #KBFI in 777-9 prototype N779XW as Boeing 001. The flight plan says they'll return to BFI. But with a plane designed to fly almost to the opposite side of the world, Washington State often isn't big enough for testing. The Boeing test pilots are out in Montana doing what looks like hunting for icing conditions in storm clouds as part of FAA certification testing. #aviation #travel #business #avgeek #PNW
"Deported in days: Seattle emerges as major hub for ICE transfer flights" by KING 5 (NBC Seattle) - Investigative reporters in Seattle found that ICE deportation flights have been regularly occurring at Seattle's King County International Airport #KBFI (a.k.a. "Boeing Field", a public airport owned by the county). Pictured in the video but not stated: ICE has its Pacific Northwest detention facility nearby in Tacoma. https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/immigration-news/seattle-major-hub-ice-transfer-flights/281-295f916c-b6d2-48c9-82a0-30c3257c0767 #ICEDeportationFlights #ICEAbuse #aviation #avgeek #PNW
Attention Australian avgeeks: the Virgin Australia 150th 737 special livery MAX8 (VH-8VI) is making its first flight out of the Boeing 737 factory in Renton #KRNT right now as BOE26. The flight plan's destination is Seattle Boeing Field #KBFI, as usual for new planes which were painted at Renton (and don't have to fly elsewhere for paint). Expect the Boeing test pilots to fly it for 2-3 hours running through the first-flight checklists. https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/BOE26/history/20260402/1954Z/KRNT/KBFI #aviation #travel #avgeek
This Pilatus PC-12 turboprop N21AU landing at Portland #KPDX would probably go mostly unnoticed... except for its radio callsign Boeing 21AU. This is a crew transport coming to pick up the test pilots from Boeing 508. It will take them back to Boeing Field #KBFI in Seattle where the flight test base is located. Either this plane or a Cessna 208 that Boeing flies for similar purpose shows up when planes are entering or exiting the PDX paint hangar. #aviation #travel #avgeek #PNW
Spotted at PDX today: Boeing 737 MAX10 prototype #2 N27752 flying as Boeing 102 did a touch&go on Runway 28R at Portland International Airport #KPDX. Boeing test pilots flew it out of Boeing Field #KBFI. They also did touch&gos at Seattle-Tacoma #KSEA and Moses Lake #KMWH before coming to PDX. This is only the 2nd time I've seen a MAX10 in flight, first at PDX (previously at PAE in 2023.) FAA certification of the MAX10 is expected later in 2026. #B3XM #aviation #travel #avgeek #PNW
I expected we'd see more 777-9s in Portland eventually after the Boeing test pilots did a touch&go on #KPDX Runway 10R two weeks ago. Today N779XY was back again for a touch&go on Runway 10L. Photos taken from home: takeoff from PDX and climbout with sunlight enhancing the wing features including the folding wingtips. With wingtips extended, it's wider than a 747-8. The flight originated at Seattle Boeing Field #KBFI, Boeing's flight test base, and is now returning there. #aviation #avgeek #PNW
Video: Boeing 777-9 prototype #3 N779XY touch and go on Runway 10R at Portland International Airport #KPDX this afternoon. Welcome to Oregon! The Boeing test pilots did touch & go's at Seattle-Tacoma #KSEA and Portland #KPDX on today's test flight. The flight originated from Seattle Boeing Field #KBFI and later landed back there after touch & go's at MWH and PAE as well. #aviation #business #travel #avgeek #PNW
Between the arrival and departure of the Alaska 787 at Sea-Tac Airport, I got a sandwich and took pictures from the park overlooking Seattle Boeing Field #KBFI. Typical for a weekend, it wasn't a busy place. But it has fantastic views of Mount Rainier nearly lined up with the runways. And since it's Boeing's flight test base, there were three Boeing 777-9 prototypes parked there taking the weekend off. Also new 737 MAX planes in preparation for customer delivery. #aviation #travel #avgeek #PNW
"Alaska Airlines orders 110 Boeing jets, a record purchase to boost global service" by KOMO News (ABC Seattle) - Media are starting to post images from Alaska Airlines unveiling of #Alaska787 #N784HA in new Alaska aurora livery for international flights. The press event in a Boeing hangar at Boeing Field #KBFI in Seattle also announced the new order for 105 737 MAX10 + 5 787-10 planes for delivery from 2027 to 2035. https://komonews.com/news/local/alaska-airlines-orders-110-boeing-jets-a-record-purchase-to-boost-global-service-airplane-plane-travel-industry-manufacturing-international-america-arrival-departure-seattle-tacoma-international-airport-737 #aviation #business #travel #avgeek #PNW
