Intercontinental, Freighter Land At Le Bourget For Paris Air
Show
The newest member of the Boeing family of commercial jetliners
made its international air show debut when the first 747-8
Intercontinental touched down at Paris Le Bourget Airport Sunday.
Senior Boeing leaders, U.S. government officials, show organizers
and media were on hand to welcome the airplane and its crew when
they arrived at Le Bourget after an approximately 10-hour flight
from Seattle. The airplane took off at 1438 PDT time and landed at
0930 local time in Paris.
Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental Landing Paris
The 747-8 Intercontinental flew at Mach
0.85 and traveled approximately 4,400 nautical miles. It is the
newest member of the 747 family. The airplane, one of five Boeing
jetliners that will be on display at Paris, will be at the show
until Tuesday, June 21, when it will return to flight test
activity. On the opening day of the show, planemaker announced
orders and commitments for 17 747-8 Intercontinentals. Placed by
two undisclosed customers, the combined deals are valued at $5.4
billion at list prices. One carrier has committed to 15 of the new
passenger version of the 747-8 while another carrier placed an
order for two.
"These orders for the 747-8
Intercontinental mark a major milestone for the program and
demonstrate the market's need for an airplane of its size and
range," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial
Airplanes. "It will play a valuable role in further growing these
carriers long-haul route networks."
747-8 Freighter Arriving Paris
A second 747-8, this one a freighter,
landed at Le Bourget Monday. Boeing said the flight first was the
first transatlantic flight of a large commercial airplane with all
engines burning a sustainable aviation jet fuel.
The airplane, piloted by Boeing pilots
Capt. Keith Otsuka and Capt. Rick Braun and Cargolux Capt. Sten
Rossby, flew from Everett, WA, to Le Bourget with all four of its
General Electric GEnx-2B engines powered by a blend of 15 percent
camelina-based biofuel mixed with 85 percent traditional kerosene
Jet A fuel. No changes were made to the airplane, its engines or
operating procedures prior to departure. Normal flight parameters
were followed and approved in advance by the FAA.
Capt. Mark Feuerstein, Boeing chief
pilot for the 747 program, was at the controls of the airplane when
it landed. He was joined by co-pilots Capt. Steve Taylor, president
of Boeing Business Jets; Capt. Rene Gonzalez, BBJ chief pilot; and
Capt. Kirk Vining of Boeing Flight Test and Evaluation.
The orders bring the 747-8
Intercontinental total backlog to 50 firm aircraft, plus five from
a commitment from Air China contingent on Chinese Government
approval. It also brings the total 747-8 backlog, including
76 747-8 Freighters, to 126.