Greaser From Bahamas, joined Jan 2004, 1027 posts, RR: 5 Posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 6152 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."
Dangould2000 From United Kingdom (Scotland), joined Dec 2005, 136 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 6143 times:
wow, in those angles, the 744LCF actually looks quite nice,
AvObserver From United States, joined Apr 2002, 2367 posts, RR: 12 Reply 4, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 22 hours ago) and read 5882 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, joined Jun 2005, 47 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 22 hours ago) and read 5849 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.
Dw747400 From United States, joined Aug 2001, 982 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 16 hours ago) and read 5090 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"
JoeCattoli From Italy, joined Aug 2005, 539 posts, RR: 6 Reply 15, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 14 hours ago) and read 4445 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.
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.
Baron95 From United States, joined May 2006, 1334 posts, RR: 10 Reply 19, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 11 hours ago) and read 3721 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?
Lostmoon744 From Philippines, joined Aug 2006, 156 posts, RR: 3 Reply 21, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 10 hours ago) and read 3431 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, 465 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 hours ago) and read 2463 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
Starlionblue From Greenland, joined Feb 2004, 13604 posts, RR: 68 Reply 25, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 hours ago) and read 2431 times:
Quoting Baron95 (Reply 19):
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?
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 cargo space. At a guess many packages contain jars and other things that would like pressure.
Also, I assume that the 380F is more efficient. It was built like that from the starts. The 744LCF is a specialized design. Fine for transporting aircraft parts, but maybe not as efficient as a "from scratch" design.
Tact Is For People Who Aren't Witty Enough To Be Sarcastic
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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