EVERETT — As
Boeing’s 787 takes center stage with its coming first flight, the
company is pushing forward with preparations for the latest edition to the 747 family.
The
airframer says it has three forward fuselages in various stages of
integration, and the forward section 41 of the first 747-8 Freighter is
farthest along as the aircraft approaches commencement of the final
assembly process.
The
747 line is home to mostly 787s as of late, with the final 747-400F
closest to the door in the slant position. Further into the factory,
the fatigue test 787 and third test flight aircraft are being competed.
While
these aircraft are occupying the line, section 41 for the first 747-8F
slated for delivery to Luxembourg’s Cargolux, is being held two bays
down in Building 40-23.
Boeing
has parts for four sets of wings in work as well, with the port wing of
the first aircraft currently being sealed and tested, while the
starboard wing was being completed.
Boeing
plans to build three 747-8F aircraft to support the flight test
program, which is set to begin in the fourth quarter. First delivery
is scheduled for the third quarter of 2010.
For
the passenger version of its new jumbo, Boeing will build two 747-8I
aircraft to support certification. The airframer announced April 27th
that it had reached the 25% design release milestone for the aircraft.
A Boeing spokesperson said Thursday that the company expects to be
at 90% design release by the end of 2009.
Boeing
announced a further delay to the 747-8I program on April 22nd, citing
softening cargo demand and the subsequent postponement of a planned
production ramp up of the new jumbo. The second program delay, pushed
the aircraft’s entry into service with a Middle Eastern VIP customer
three-to-six months into the fourth quarter of 2011.
This post was originally published to the internet between 2007 and 2012. Links, images, and embedded media from that era may no longer function as intended.
This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.