UPDATED VIDEO - Boeing 747-8 flies

Boeing image

8 February 2010

Boeing's 747-8 has taken off on its first flight.
 

February 8: Boeing’s new 747-8 Freighter successfully took its maiden flight in front of 5,000 employees at the company’s Paine Field in Everett, Washington.

At the controls for the three-and-a-half hour flight was Boeing Chief Pilot Mark Feuerstein, accompanied by Captain Tom Imrich. Delayed by two hours due to bad weather in the morning, the new ‘Jumbo’ took to the air at 12:39 local time.

"It was a real privilege to be at the controls of this great airplane on its first flight, representing the thousands of folks who made today possible," said Feuerstein. "The airplane performed as expected and handled just like a 747-400." The 747-8 Freighter is just over 18ft (5.6m) longer than the 747-400 Freighter, giving 16% more cargo volume.

The test programme will run for 1,600 flight hours before the first aircraft is repainted in launch customer Cargolux colours for delivery. Current orders for the new freighter stand at 76, with 32 passenger aircraft also sold.

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