Greaser From Bahamas, joined Jan 2004, 1081 posts, RR: 4 Posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 8118 times:
Another milestone for the venerable 747
"TAIPEI, Sept. 09, 2006 -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA] 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter took to the skies for the first time at 10:38 a.m. (UTC/GMT +8 hours) today, initiating the flight test program that will culminate in U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification.
The two-hour, four-minute flight was the first of 250 expected flight test hours for the unique freighter, a specially modified 747-400 that will transport major composite structures of the all-new 787 Dreamliner.
The enormous jet -- with its enlarged upper fuselage that can accommodate three times the cargo by volume of a standard 747-400 freighter -- gracefully took off under rainy skies from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (formerly Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport). Boeing flight test pilots, Capts. Joe MacDonald and Randy Wyatt, took the airplane north, and then flew roughly 150 miles south following along the east side of the island before heading north again."
"After completing initial flight tests in Taiwan, during which the airplane's handling characteristics will be evaluated as well as ensuring the LCF is free from flutter and excessive vibration, the airplane will fly to Seattle's Boeing Field to complete the remainder of the flight test program. The ferry flight to Seattle is expected to occur mid-month. A fleet of three LCFs will ferry 787 assemblies between Nagoya, Japan; Grottaglie, Italy; Wichita, Kan. and Charleston, S.C., before flying them to the Boeing factory in Everett, Wash., for final assembly. The first two LCFs will enter service in early 2007; the third will follow later."
FriendlySkies From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 4002 posts, RR: 6 Reply 3, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 7931 times:
"It's not a tuuuumor"
Haha good to see it flying, hope it gets some paint soon!
AvObserver From United States of America, joined Apr 2002, 2430 posts, RR: 10 Reply 4, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 7848 times:
Quoting Dangould2000 (Reply 1): wow, in those angles, the 744LCF actually looks quite nice
When did you last visit your eye doctor? There's no angle at which this airgoing pig would look good; it's almost amazing it even flies, albeit with an utter lack of grace. Still, it will be a major asset for BCA, like the Beluga is for Airbus, so I guess I shouldn't dwell on how horrendous its appearance is. It's almost shocking to remember this was once a gorgeous -400.
Calags From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 47 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 7815 times:
Quoting AvObserver (Reply 4): When did you last visit your eye doctor? There's no angle at which this airgoing pig would look good; it's almost amazing it even flies, albeit with an utter lack of grace.
I'm not worried - I'm sure it'll grow on me. When I first saw the Beluga I thought it was the ugliest thing flying too but now it holds a special appeal to me.
I'm curious if the livery they finally select for it would make any special use of the double hump.
Ikramerica From United States of America, joined May 2005, 21025 posts, RR: 60 Reply 9, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 7593 times:
It's like a 747 wearing a big fur coat!
I bet you put it into a flattering livery, and it won't look that bad...
Of all the things to worry about... the Wookie has no pants.
KC135TopBoom From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 11704 posts, RR: 52 Reply 10, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 7414 times:
Quoting Greaser (Thread starter): The first two LCFs will enter service in early 2007; the third will follow later."
Hmmmm.
Congradulations to EVA and Boeing, and the B-747-400LCF
Dw747400 From United States of America, joined Aug 2001, 1244 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 7056 times:
Quoting RyanairCRL (Reply 11): after looking at the video, why does the pilot keep the gears out that long ? don't pilots bring them up earlier usually ?
This is fairly typical of early flight testing. Why worry about more ssytems at a critical moment than you need too?
Quoting RyanairCRL (Reply 11): are the test pilots locals (Japanese) or from Boeing ?
The press release states: "Boeing flight test pilots, Capts. Joe MacDonald and Randy Wyatt"
NRA-3B From United States of America, joined Oct 2000, 159 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 6961 times:
Quoting RyanairCRL (Reply 11): are the test pilots locals (Japanese) or from Boeing ?
Last time I checked, Taiwan hasn't been part of Japan since 1945.
Jacobin777 From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 14968 posts, RR: 61 Reply 14, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 6773 times:
Amazing video..but the guy taking the video (or whoever it was) needs to stop coughing...
JoeCattoli From Italy, joined Aug 2005, 559 posts, RR: 3 Reply 15, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 6411 times:
In the video this aircraft looks uglier than on pictures... Exactly the opposite of the WhaleJet... Anyway congratulation to Evergreen Boeing and the 787 program.
Hope it'll look better once painted.
Mnik101 From United States of America, joined May 2006, 167 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 6364 times:
Quoting Jrosa (Reply 2): t is great to see that such an ugly aircraft is capable of flying!
Quoting AvObserver (Reply 4):
When did you last visit your eye doctor? There's no angle at which this airgoing pig would look good; it's almost amazing it even flies, albeit with an utter lack of grace.
NYC777 From United States of America, joined Jun 2004, 5145 posts, RR: 49 Reply 17, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 6364 times:
Congrats to Boeing but will someone PLEASE give it a coat of paint!!!! Even Euro-white will do!
JewPilot From United States of America, joined Sep 2006, 110 posts, RR: 1 Reply 18, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 6220 times:
That thing's a beast!! Could use some paint though.
Baron95 From United States of America, joined May 2006, 1335 posts, RR: 9 Reply 19, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 5687 times:
I have a question, maybe someone can help.
It's often said that the overnight package carriers need volume much more than weight carrying capacity. So the UPS and FEDex have ordered 10 (I believe) A380Fs each.
My question is, Wouldn't something like the 747 LCF be the ticked for these guys?
Aloha717200 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 4397 posts, RR: 17 Reply 20, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 5492 times:
Quoting Baron95 (Reply 19): My question is, Wouldn't something like the 747 LCF be the ticked for these guys?
I dont believe Boeing is offering the LCF for sale.
Lostmoon744 From Philippines, joined Aug 2006, 170 posts, RR: 3 Reply 21, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 5397 times:
Quoting NRA-3B (Reply 13): Last time I checked, Taiwan hasn't been part of Japan since 1945
OMG. LOL.
When the Airbus Beluga came out, people then were saying it was ugly. But, like the other poster said, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, indeed. It's not a beauty contest afterall. As long as it flies and gets the job done, go for it.
Geo772 From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2004, 497 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 4429 times:
Quoting Aloha717200 (Reply 20): Quoting Baron95 (Reply 19):
My question is, Wouldn't something like the 747 LCF be the ticked for these guys?
I dont believe Boeing is offering the LCF for sale.
If any carrier asked Boeing for some of these I'm sure they would oblige. After all the design work and certification work will have been done. However I would have thought it highly unlikely that anyone would order some. It would be very expensive as well I reckon.
Flown on A300B4/600,A319/20/21,A332/3,A343,B727,B732/3/4/7/8,B741/2/4,B752,B762/3,B772/3,DC10,L1011-200,VC10,MD80,1-11
25 Starlionblue: Note: I am just speculating below. As Geo772 says, Boeing would probably do it if the customer asked. However, there is the issue of no pressurized c
26 OyKIE: IMHO Because of it's length it looks much better than the Beluga which I believe is to short and therefore seems fatter.
27 Teixeim: If they put two or three flooring decks inside and loaded 'em with seats, its an instant Airbus A380-buster! That thing's gotta be capable of carrying
28 Starlionblue: I realize your comments are in jest. But realize that the cargo hold is unpressurized. Also, the aircraft would not be able to carry the weight of so
29 OldAeroGuy: Has the USA lost pride of place for "World's Worst Geography/History Education"?
30 ER757: Can't wait - I'll definitely be there. camera in hand. Hopefully it'll be painted by then
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