A majestic takeoff sent the new Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental soaring skyward on March 20, 2011, allowing her to flex her wing high above the clouds as the new "Queen of the Skies". Courtesy of Boeing

Seattle, USA - March 20, 2011

The Boeing (NYSE: BA) 747-8 Intercontinental successfully began its flight test program today, taking off from Paine Field in Everett, Wash., before several thousand employees, customers, suppliers and community leaders.

With its stretched fuselage, the 747-8 Intercontinental is the biggest commercial airplane Boeing has ever built. It can seat 467 passengers in a 3-class configuration, 50 more than its predecessor, the 747-400. Courtesy of Boeing

The airplane landed four hours and 25 minutes later at Boeing Field in Seattle.

With its stretched fuselage, the 747-8 Intercontinental is the biggest commercial airplane Boeing has ever built. It can seat 467 passengers in a 3-class configuration, 50 more than its predecessor, the 747-400. Courtesy of Boeing

The 747-8 Intercontinental’s first flight marks the beginning of a flight test program that will finish in the fourth quarter.

While the 747-8 Intercontinental retains the recognizable hump at the front of the fuselage, the airplane is 18 feet (5.6 meters) longer than its predecessor. It sports a new, more aerodynamic wing, a cleaner, quieter, and more fuel-efficient engine and a host of cutting-edge technologies. Courtesy of Boeing

A majestic takeoff sent the new Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental soaring skyward on March 20, 2011, allowing her to flex her wing high above the clouds as the new "Queen of the Skies".

At 10:00 a.m. local time, RC001, the first 747-8 Intercontinental, took off from Paine Field in Everett, Wash. for its flight, passing thousands of Boeing engineers, mechanics and technicians who came out to witness the historic takeoff. Courtesy of Boeing

The newest version of the iconic Boeing 747 made its inaugural flight after years of hard work from thousands of Boeing engineers, mechanics and technicians, in partnership with aerospace suppliers around the world.

Boeing's newest version of the iconic 747 soared into skies over Washington State for its inaugural flight on March 20, 2011. Courtesy of Boeing

"What a great privilege to be at the controls of such a great airplane on its first flight," said Captain Mark Feuerstein, the 747-8 chief pilot.
"And what an honor to share this day with the thousands of men and women who designed and built this airplane."

Boeing's newest version of the iconic 747 soared into skies over Washington State for its inaugural flight on March 20, 2011. Courtesy of Boeing

While the 747-8 Intercontinental retains the recognizable hump at the front of the fuselage, the airplane is 18 feet (5.6 meters) longer than its predecessor.
It sports a new, more aerodynamic wing, a cleaner, quieter, and more fuel-efficient engine and a host of cutting-edge technologies.

Boeing's newest version of the iconic 747 soared into skies over Washington State for its inaugural flight on March 20, 2011. Courtesy of Boeing

With its stretched fuselage, the 747-8 Intercontinental is the biggest commercial airplane Boeing has ever built.

A majestic takeoff sent the new Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental soaring skyward on March 20, 2011, allowing her to flex her wing high above the clouds as the new "Queen of the Skies". Courtesy of Boeing

It can seat 467 passengers in a 3-class configuration, 50 more than its predecessor, the 747-400.

The new Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental cockpit Courtesy of Boeing

"It flies further. It flies faster. It's more economical and it carries more passengers than ever before," said Elizabeth Lund, vice president and general manager of the 747-8 program.
"It really is a fabulous airplane."

The 747-8 Intercontinental flies over Mount Baker. Courtesy of Boeing

Capt. Feuerstein said RC001, the first Intercontinental, was in tremendous shape for a new airplane model, allowing him and fellow Boeing Test Pilot Capt. Paul Stemer to perform test conditions normally reserved for later in a flight test program.

A majestic takeoff sent the new Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental soaring skyward on March 20, 2011, allowing her to flex her wing high above the clouds as the new "Queen of the Skies". Courtesy of Boeing

"Doing not only the functional tests we often do on a first flight, but we also stepped out and did some important stability and control conditions that we wouldn't ordinarily do. That's basically a testament to how prepared the airplane was," said Capt. Feuerstein.

A majestic takeoff sent the new Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental soaring skyward on March 20, 2011, allowing her to flex her wing high above the clouds as the new "Queen of the Skies". Courtesy of Boeing

"Flying such a beautiful machine on a gorgeous day like today on such a perfect test mission is just nothing better than that," said Capt. Stemer.

At 2:42 p.m. local time, the first 747-8 Intercontinental descended on Boeing Field in Seattle, capping a successful first flight. After this flight, more than 600 flight hours remain before the new airplane is certified. Courtesy of Boeing

After completing the tests conditions, the pilots brought the Intercontinental to Seattle for a landing at Boeing Field, touching down at 2:42 p.m.

After completing the tests conditions, the pilots brought the Intercontinental to Seattle for a landing at Boeing Field, touching down at 2:42 p.m. Courtesy of Boeing

The flight was the first of more than 600 flight hours in the test program for the new 747-8 Intercontinental.

The airplane landed four hours and 25 minutes later at Boeing Field in Seattle. Courtesy of Boeing

The airplane followed a route over Eastern Washington, where it underwent tests for basic handling and performance.

The 747-8 Intercontinental’s first flight marks the beginning of a flight test program that will finish in the fourth quarter. Courtesy of Boeing

The airplane reached a cruising altitude of 19,000 feet (5,791 meters), and a speed of up to 250 knots, or about 288 miles per hour (463 kilometers).

The 747-8 Intercontinental’s first flight marks the beginning of a flight test program that will finish in the fourth quarter. Courtesy of Boeing

Korean Air and VIP customers have joined launch customer Lufthansa in ordering a total of 33 747-8 Intercontinentals.

After the flight, (from left to right) 747-8 Vice President and General Manager Elizabeth Lund, 747-8 Chief Pilot Capt. Mark Feuerstein and Boeing Test Pilot Capt. Paul Stemer shared their thoughts about the once-in-a-lifetime milestone. Courtesy of Boeing

First delivery of the 747-8 Intercontinental is scheduled for the fourth quarter.

Air China also has agreed to order five Intercontinentals, pending government approval.

By Bernard Choi


Contact:

Jim Proulx
747 Communications
+1 206 850-2102
jim.proulx@boeing.com  

Dina Weiss
Boeing Business Jet Communications
+1 206 766-2124
dina.m.weiss@boeing.com  


Source: Boeing

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=13&cat=31&item=1438  

http://www.boeing.com/  



ASTROMAN magazine