September 2, 1998 -- The first-ever Boeing 717-200 lifts off the runway at the Long Beach Airport in California on its historic first flight. The airplane took off at 12:35 p.m. and landed at 4:42 p.m. at the Boeing Flight Test Center in Yuma, Ariz. The airplane completed a series of systems and controls test during the flight piloted by Capts. Ralph Luczak and Tom Melody. Test Conductor Will Gibbons was also on board. The 717 now enters its flight test and certification program. First delivery is scheduled for the third quarter of 1999.