How Do You Stop 1,000,000 Pounds At 200 mph?

Check out Boeings tests of the 747-8 emergency abort takeoff flight testing via Wired.com:



Here are some impressive stats:

• They tested the 747-8 with a take off mass of 443,181 kg.
• The 747 had a speed of 200 mph (320 kph) before using just the brakes to stop.
• The brakes were 100% worn to simulate worst case scenario. 
• The plane took about 200 meters to stop.
• The brakes heated up to about 1400 degrees C.

Scary fun!

Boeing launches 787 on o7/08/07

The best pre-selling commercial jet to date has yet to carry passengers but was celebrated with much fan fair in Washington yesterday. The 787 Dreamliner will carry it's first paying customers next May. Boeing has already received 677 orders for the 330 passenger (depending on configuration) commercial jetliner whose range is 8,500 miles. A company spokesman is quoted as saying "The most important promise of the Dreamliner,is to make the world a smaller place, and in doing so, bring us all together." CNet has the story here.