The first 747-8F began the process of powering on its systems on Friday as the new freighter moved another step closer to leaving the factory, Boeing confirms.
In the early hours of August 14th, RC501 was rolled on its landing gear from the final body join station inside Building 40-22 to the final systems integration slant.
The commencement of power on testing marks the beginning of the sequential activation of the 747-8s systems. The first typically activated is the electrical system that feeds power throughout the aircraft. Pneumatic and hydraulic power activation is expected to follow shortly.
Boeing expects the new freighter to roll out of the factory to the paint hangar late in the 3rd quarter or early in the 4th quarter before making its maiden flight by the end of the year.
RC501 is the first of three flight test aircraft that will support certification of the 747-8F and will eventually be delivered to Cargolux after being fully refurbished.
Photo Credit Boeing
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This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.