You GO BOE!

What can I say, I'm still a Seattle boy. UPDATE: They did it!

First flight of the Boeing 787, December 15,2009. Light that candle!

The good ol' USA can STILL get a few things done, even if it takes a while. First flights of planes I worked on are always an inspiration to me, and this is the one I feel the most for since 1990. I DO still get the thrill. Accountants and lawyers are fine, but engineers make it happen! Make no mistake about it, the future of American aviation and manufacturing is riding on their shoulders this coming week, and THEY are standing on the shoulders of giants. My mother-in-law is smiling down from Heaven, and life is more than just about bikes...

obsolete Boeing logo, but it's still the one I love the most

If you need added inspiration, there's a video, featuring a Bell product, of course. I have no doubt that Boeing will live up to the standard. Any of my engineers that look at this will now know what a "Yeager handle" is if they watch between minute 2:45 and 4. I often think of the movie, and particularly of Yeager, when I ride my bike in heavy traffic. The technology has dramatically changed, but thorough preparation, professionalism, and, perhaps, a smidge of "the right stuff" will see them through.

an American hero, portrayed by Sam Shepard

Godspeed Boeing!