|

Fifth Boeing 747-8 Enters Flight-test Program


EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) successfully conducted the first flight of the fifth 747-8 Freighter Thursday. The airplane, coded as RC523, took off from Paine Field in Everett, Wash., for a 3-hour, 30-minute flight before returning to Paine Field.

The flight included a standard 2-hour, 30-minute “B1” flight profile that Boeing conducts on all production airplanes prior to delivery, plus an hour of engineering testing woven into the profile.

“The airplane performed well,” said Andy Hammer, test program manager for 747-8. “It was a fine start to the test plan for this airplane.”

This is the fifth 747-8 Freighter being used in the flight-test program. Each airplane is used for a specific set of tests, with this airplane focusing on functionality and reliability testing.

The airplane will remain based at Paine Field throughout its test plan.

To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.

Similar Posts

  • | | | | |

    TAM Airlines Plane Returns to Madrid Over Bomb Threat

    TAMTAM Airlines flight JJ8065 had to return and make an emergency landing at Barajas International Airport in Madrid, Spain, on December 15.

    The Boeing 777 took off for Sao Paulo, Brazil, but had to return shortly afterwards due to a bomb threat.

    The plane landed uneventfully. Everyone aboard remained safe.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    $210,000 Civil Penalty Against Alaska Airlines

    The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a civil penalty of $210,000 against Alaska Airlines of Seattle for allegedly failing to properly document and tag deactivated systems and equipment before making repairs.
    The FAA alleged that on 10 occasions between June 19, 2010, and January 13, 2011, Alaska performed maintenance on six of its Boeing 737 airplanes but failed to comply with the required alternative deactivation procedures. Specifically, the airline allegedly failed to document the alternative actions it took, and failed to install the appropriate danger tag. These requirements are safety measures designed to reduce hazards to technicians during maintenance and to prevent potential damage to the aircraft and onboard systems. Alaska Airlines has 30 days from receipt of the civil penalty letter to respond to the agency.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | | | |

    Delta Airlines Plane Carrying Oklahoma City Thunder Dented En Route to Chicago

    Delta Airlines flight DL-8935 apparently suffered a bird strike near Chicago Midway International Airport, Chicago, Illinois, on October 28th.

    The Boeing 757-200 plane, performing a charter flight for the Oklahoma City Thunder, was descending toward Chicago when its nose cone sustained a dent.

    The plane continued for a safe landing. Everyone aboard remained unharmed.

    The airline suspects the damage was caused by a bird strike.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | |

    Bird-Hit Badr Airlines Plane Makes Safe Landing in Khartoum

    Badr Airlines flight J4-341 made a safe landing following a bird strike near Khartoum, Sudan, on September 24th.

    The Boeing 737-500 plane flying from Damazin Airport, Sudan, was on final approach to Khartoum when a bird hit it.

    The plane continued for a safe landing. All passengers and crew members remained unharmed.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Boeing Celebrates Premiere of New 747-8 Intercontinental

    EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) today unveiled its new 747-8 Intercontinental, the new high-capacity passenger airplane that offers airlines the lowest operating costs and best economics of any large passenger airplane while providing enhanced environmental performance.

    Approximately 10,000 guests, including customers, Boeing employees, government officials, partners and suppliers, gathered in the factory in Everett, Wash., to witness the premiere of the Intercontinental at an event themed “Incredible, Again.” Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Albaugh said the newest 747 incorporates technological advancements that make it an extremely productive airplane for customers.

    “The new 747-8 Intercontinental features the latest in innovative technologies — applying many of the breakthroughs also found on the 787 Dreamliner,” said Albaugh. “We think our customers will value the low operating costs and passengers will enjoy the comfort of the striking new interior.”

    “The 747-8 Intercontinental will be a great complement to our fleet, fitting nicely into the 400-seat category, improving our fleet’s eco-efficiency even further,” said Nico Buchholz, executive vice president, Lufthansa Group Fleet Management. “As launch customer, we are looking forward to welcoming this new aircraft to our fleet next year as it adds to our ongoing fleet modernization and environmental efforts.”

    Korean Air and VIP customers have joined launch customer Lufthansa in ordering a total of 33 747-8 Intercontinentals. First delivery of the 747-8 Intercontinental is scheduled for the fourth quarter.

    “As the only airplane in the 400 to 500-seat market, the 747-8 Intercontinental will give operators an airplane perfectly suited for long, heavily traveled routes around the world,” said Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager, Airplane Programs, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The new 747-8 Intercontinental will set a new standard in economic and environmental performance, while providing a world-class passenger experience.”

    The 747-8 Intercontinental will have the lowest seat-mile cost of any large commercial jetliner, with 12 percent lower costs than its predecessor, the 747-400. The airplane provides 16 percent better fuel economy, 16 percent less carbon emissions per passenger and generates a 30 percent smaller noise footprint than the 747-400. The 747-8 Intercontinental applies interior features from the 787 Dreamliner that includes a new curved, upswept architecture giving passengers a greater feeling of space and comfort, while adding more room for personal belongings.
    The airplane unveiled today is painted in a new Sunrise livery of red-orange that only will appear on the first 747-8 Intercontinental and is a significant departure from Boeing’s standard blue. The new color palette honors many key Boeing customers whose cultures recognize these colors as symbols of prosperity and good luck.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | | |

    Pilot Taking a Nap, Co-pilot Busy on Tablet; Jet Airways Boeing 777 Drops 5,000 Feet over Turkey

    Jet AirwaysAn inquiry has been launched after the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) found out that a Jet Airways flight abruptly descended 5,000 feet over Turkish airspace, on August 8.

    The Indian media reports that the incident first came to light on August 12 when the Director General of DGCA, Lalit Gupta, received an anonymous SMS, informing him about the incident.

    It was discovered that the captain of the flight 9W-228, on its way from Mumbai to Brussels, was taking a controlled nap at the time while his co-pilot was supposed to sit on the controls. However, the co-pilot claimed that she did not notice that the aircraft is descending below the assigned level since she was busy with her electronic flight bag (EFB) – a tablet containing aircraft documents. She realized the situation only after getting a call from the air traffic controller in Ankara, Turkey, and immediately woke up the captain, who then brought the Boeing 777-300 back to its level.

    The DGCA has suspended the pilots and launched an investigation to find out whether the sudden drop was caused intentionally or accidentally by the co-pilot. The DGCA has also decided to audit the airline’s training procedures for the pilot.

    According to Jet Airways, “The airline is also extending all co-operation in the matter to the DGCA by providing all necessary assistance for the inquiry. Safety is of paramount importance to Jet Airways as is also the welfare of our guests and crew and the airline will always take appropriate steps to ensure the same.”

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.