Simulates Flight Conditions As Step Towards First Flight, Which Could Come As Early As Sunday

Final gauntlet testing on the first 747-8 Intercontinental jetliner Boeing has been completed, Boeing said Monday. The two days of testing were wrapped up late Sunday. "The team continues to do great work to get the 747-8 Intercontinental into the air," said Elizabeth Lund, vice president and general manager, 747 program. "It'll be a great day for the team when the airplane flies."

Gauntlet testing simulates flight conditions to test systems and ensure flight readiness. During the testing, Boeing test pilots put the airplane through its paces. Gauntlet testing is a crucial step in the path toward first flight.

The online tech site CNet reports that the first flight of the 747-8 Intercontinental is planned for 1000 PDT Sunday, following final flight readiness reviews, receipt of documentation from the FAA and taxi testing. Both taxi testing and first flight are subject to weather conditions. If the aircraft flies on Sunday, it will have gone from unveiling to first flight in just over a month. The cargo version of the 747-8 first flew in February of last year.

FMI: www.boeing.com