Wed, Nov 02, 2011
Final Test Flight Was From Barbados To Everett
After finally getting the first 747-8 freighter off to its new
owners, Boeing on Monday wrapped up certification test flights for
the passenger version of the stretched jumbo jet. The final
function and reliability tests were completed by the crew on a
flight from Barbados to Everett, WA on Monday.
All that appears to be left to do is filing the paperwork with
the FAA. Boeing expects certification to carry passengers on the
Intercontinental by the end of the year.
The Seattle Times reports that the three airplanes in
the test program will continue flying as that paperwork moves
through the Washington bureaucracy. The flights over the next few
weeks will be post-certification tests of interior configurations
of the first airplanes to be delivered. The interiors are
specialized for the launch customer for the 747-8 ... the
governments of Kuwait and Qatar. They'll be finished by specialty
outfitters with luxury interiors after initial delivery.
Meanwhile a 747-8 freighter has been delivered to Hong
Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways, making it the second freight
operator worldwide to take delivery of Boeing's newest freighter.
With this new addition to its fleet, Cathay Pacific also becomes
the first carrier in Asia Pacific to operate the 747-8. The new
airplane is the first of 10 747-8 Freighters Cathay Pacific has on
order with Boeing.
"We are pleased to take delivery of this excellent new
freighter, which will be a perfect addition to the Cathay Pacific
cargo fleet," said Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer John
Slosar. "The B747-8F will help us further strengthen Hong Kong's
position as the world's leading international air cargo hub. We
look forward to the efficiency and environmental benefits that we
expect to realise with this great new airplane."
The 747-8 Freighters are expected to progressively replace the
747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) in the Cathay Pacific
Cargo fleet. Cathay Pacific currently operates six 747-400
Freighters, six 747-400ER Freighters and eight 747-400BCFs. Eight
customers have ordered a total of 75 747-8 Freighters.
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