747-8 First Flight Window Opens Tomorrow

[ApplePie]

http://747-8firstflight.com/

If they wait for 1 day, they could have a really cool marketing gimmick and have the first flight on the 41st anniversary of the 747-100 first flight.

[OVERLORD_CHRIS]

Your idea is good, but that would piss off the share holders greatly.


I like the silver paint it had prior to the white paint job, that is what you use on a sunny day to blind the hell out of every one and get more attention for your airline.   

[expat]

Forgive my opinion, but hardly something to jump up and down about. A 747 airframe with new holes cut in for some cargo doors and a strengthened floor and an MEL that has had so much removed and added that you would crap yourself if you knew how much the aircraft can now fly with that is INOP. In essence a 747 with the seats removed. Good marketing ploy by Boeing though

Matt

[OVERLORD_CHRIS]

Noby is real making a big deal about it, but like the introduction of the -400 series, it is a huge gain over its predecessor, and for the airline industry, that means more time in the air, and less time on the ground resulting in more revenue.

[machineman9]

The live webcast has apparently just started. Still delayed but it's on its way.

I'm not hugely enthusiastic, I just don't have much else to do

[Rich H]

Any idea of when the passenger variant will fly?

[machineman9]

Nice take off 

[BrandonF]

The plane is currently airborne. Its takeoff time was 12:39PM PST.

[ApplePie]

Any idea of when the passenger variant will fly?

Not until early 2011, unfortunately.

[OVERLORD_CHRIS]

Wings don't flex as much as they did on the past 747's not sure if that is a good thing or bad.

[tcco94]

Update: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-0 ... ate2-.html

8-)

[Slotback]

Forgive my opinion, but hardly something to jump up and down about. A 747 airframe with new holes cut in for some cargo doors and a strengthened floor and an MEL that has had so much removed and added that you would crap yourself if you knew how much the aircraft can now fly with that is INOP. In essence a 747 with the seats removed. Good marketing ploy by Boeing though

Matt

The 747-8 is what the 747-400 was to the 747-200. It was re-engined, re-winged, stretched, and significantly upgraded in many ways. The 747-400F already exists so it's not just some "new holes cut for cargo doors".

[beaky]

Anything that keeps 747s flying is a good thing to me...