Airplane Took Off In The Rain From Renton Field Near Seattle

The first flight of Boeing's long-awaited 737 MAX is underway. The plane took off in the rain shortly before 1300 EST, 1000 PST, from the Boeing factory in Renton, WA.

The flight had originally been planned for about 0900 local time, but was delayed by the weather. Dubbed "The Spirit of Renton", the 737 MAX lifted off from the runway and quickly disappeared into the clouds for a flight that the commentators on Boeing's webcast said was expected to last for a couple of hours.

The re-engined 737 MAX was approved by Boeing's Board of Directors in August 2011. It is powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines which Boeing says along with improved aerodynamics and newly-designed winglets will increase the efficiency of the airplane by eight percent over existing 737s. It also shares many flight-deck characteristics with the Dreamliner.

Boeing plans a test-flight fleet of four 737 MAX airplanes. Eventually, three 737 MAX variants will be built. The model flying today is the 737 MAX-8. A -9 and -10 will eventually be built by the company.

Boeing has already sold 3,072 of the airplanes. The first delivery of a 737 MAX is expected in 2017.

(Images from Boeing first flight webcast)

FMI: www.boeing.com