New Cargo Variant Completed Taxi Tests, Ready To Fly

ANN RealTime Update -- 02.08.10, 1918 EST: The Boeing 747-8 has completed a lengthy first flight after a nearly three hour delay due to low ceilings. Current reports indicate that the flight went "very well."

ANN RealTime Update -- 02.08.10, 1538 EST: Boeing 'RC501' the first 747-8, has departed Paine Field's Rwy 34L for an inaugural test flight and has been cleared for an unrestricted climb to 10,000 feet, where it has been assigned an altitude block for initial flight test investigations... ANN will monitor and furnish details throughout the day...

ANN RealTime Update -- 02.08.10, 1523 EST: The first flight of the 747-8 is imminent. WX conditions have improved dramatically with a solid 10 mile visibility and a scattered deck at 900 feet. The aircraft, "Boeing 501 Heavy Experimental," is now taxiing for takeoff on Rwy 34L...

ANN RealTime Update -- 02.08.10, 1353 EST: Current wx observations show IFR conditions at Paine Field.  Winds are calm, with a 500 foot overcast and 8 mile visibility.

Temp is 46 degrees-F and Dewpoint is 43 degrees-F. Altimeter is 30.06. The forecast calls for winds variable at 3 kts, visibility greater than 6 SM, scattered clouds at 1200', and broken clouds at 6000' by 1300 PST.

ANN RealTime Update -- 02.08.10, 1300 EST: Low ceilings are delaying the first flight of the massive Boeing 747-8. Forecasts do hold out some hope for gradual improvements later in the day so the possibility of a first flight still exists. Current conditions show about a 200 foot ceiling with 8 mile visibility and light winds from the South. There is no estimation, as yet, for a possible rescheduling of the flight.

Original Report: The first flight test of the Boeing 747-8 is slated for Monday, February 8, 2010.  The first flight window will open 10:00am PDT.

Pilots of the 747-8 Freighter first flight will be Capt. Mark Feuerstein, 747 Chief Pilot, and Capt. Tom Imrich, Senior Test Pilot 747 Program.

Boeing completed taxi tests on the first 747-8 Freighter on February 6. Feuerstein took the airplane to a top speed of approximately 90 knots.  That was the last functional test planned before first flight.

"The airplane performed well," said Mo Yahyavi, 747 program vice president and general manager, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“Based on early indications, the airplane is ready to fly."

A live webcast of the 747-8 Freighter takeoff and landing will be available.

FMI: www.747-8firstflight.com