Keesje From Netherlands, joined Apr 2001, 10189 posts, RR: 52 Posted (4 months 3 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 13183 times:
Just hit the news (Seattle Times, Dominic Gates):
Program chief Mohammad "Mo" Yahyavi says he aims to have not one but all three of the test-flight 747-8s flying by the end of the year. The three planes will be finished 20 workdays apart, so the first needs to fly by early November to meet his timetable.
As far as I'm concerned just #1 in the air before 2010 would be satisfactory..
The 747-8 has entirely new wings, new General Electric engines built around the same technology as the Dreamliner engines, upgraded flight-deck avionics and a passenger cabin modeled on the 787 interior.
new wings, engines, pylon 747-8 prototype #1.
The plane is a hybrid of design technologies, too. Boeing engineers created the entirely new sections — such as the wings — using the latest digital computer-modeling tools, while retaining the older blueprints for sections of the jet that remained unchanged.
That created problems. Yahyavi said the fully digitized sections of the freighter came together more easily. "The areas that were modified and kept some of the old design, like [the cockpit section], that was the challenge."
PlaneAdmirer From United States of America, joined Jul 2009, 174 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (4 months 3 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 12974 times:
KC135TopBoom From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 8133 posts, RR: 51 Reply 6, posted (4 months 3 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 12309 times:
It will be great to see the B-747-8F flying. I didn't expect all three test bed airplanes to be flying by the end of the year. Any more update on the B-787-8 flying by then, too? With both flying certifications tests together, that will be a big challange for both tests schedules.
747classic From Netherlands, joined Aug 2009, 401 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (4 months 3 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 12218 times:
Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 6): With both flying certifications tests together, that will be a big challange for both tests schedules.
It's mentioned in the article :
"We have been working together --- [Boeing's] flight-test organization, the 787 team and the 747-8 team --- to decouple these two programs to make sure everyone is supported with resources and equipment and ground operations and flight operations," Yahyavi said. "It's not 100 percent finalized, but we are getting prepared to put this airplane in flight."
757GB From Uruguay, joined Feb 2009, 401 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (4 months 3 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 10577 times:
Quoting Keesje (Thread starter): As far as I'm concerned just #1 in the air before 2010 would be satisfactory..
I agree. Thanks for sharing the article and the pictures. I'm crossing my fingers to a successful program in all respects. And of course for the 787 to fly ASAP.
I hope the lessons are learned with respect to over optimistic announcements. If they have any hope of eventually catching up on the credibility side there is a long way of hard work and kept promises to go through.
Stitch From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 16760 posts, RR: 64 Reply 11, posted (4 months 3 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 10478 times:
Quoting Manfredj (Reply 9): Who are these aircraft slated to go to after proving?
Cargolux gets the first one, at least. NCA ordered on the same day, so they may get #2 or #3.
Braniff747SP From United States of America, joined Oct 2008, 517 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (4 months 3 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 10018 times:
When is LH scehduled to start geting the 748? Can't wait for the first flight! Even though i think "mo" here is a tad optimistic...
The 747 will always be the TRUE queen of the skies!
Stitch From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 16760 posts, RR: 64 Reply 13, posted (4 months 3 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 9675 times:
ER757 From Cayman Islands, joined May 2005, 1299 posts, RR: 7 Reply 14, posted (4 months 3 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 9548 times:
Quoting Keesje (Reply 5): Hopefully Randy told him to be carefull.
I hope you mean Randy #1, 'cause Randy #2 is just a corporate shill - I really miss Randy B, but I digress.......
Saw this article in the print version of the Times today - guess I'd better save TWO vacation days between now and end of the year so I can catch both 1st flights, 787 and 748. Hope Being can pull it off.
Keesje From Netherlands, joined Apr 2001, 10189 posts, RR: 52 Reply 15, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 4485 times:
Quoting ER757 (Reply 14): guess I'd better save TWO vacation days between now and end of the year so I can catch both 1st flights, 787 and 748. Hope Being can pull it off.
In Europe w'll hopefully see first flights of A330F and A400M before new year . Add 747-8 and 787 in the US that makes 4 first flights in 2 months..
Wasn't it jackass promotional stunts that caused part of the problem with the 787?
How about flying them the first opportunity that they are ready to go? Presuming you are working full speed, it bends probability that they will both reach "first flight" at the same moment.
Tdscanuck From Canada, joined Jan 2006, 6316 posts, RR: 58 Reply 18, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 3520 times:
Quoting Starrion (Reply 17): How about flying them the first opportunity that they are ready to go? Presuming you are working full speed, it bends probability that they will both reach "first flight" at the same moment.
They way I read the article is that they *will* fly at the first opportunity that they are ready to go, and that opportunity might happen at the same time on each program.
If the programs were coupled, you'd know they wouldn't fly on the same day because resources required for one first flight would be needed for the other, so you couldn't do them in parallel. With the programs decoupled, their first flight dates are independant and they could end up on the same day (in theory).
I agree that the odds are low but, given that Boeing likes to make first flights on certain days of the week, you need appropriate weather, and the "box" of possible first flight dates is shrinking, the probability of an overlap isn't as low as you might think. It's already at about 3%+.
KC135TopBoom From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 8133 posts, RR: 51 Reply 20, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 3435 times:
Quoting Keesje (Reply 15): In Europe w'll hopefully see first flights of A330F and A400M before new year . Add 747-8 and 787 in the US that makes 4 first flights in 2 months..
That would be great. I have not heard much about the A-330F lately, things have been quite from Airbus. I just don't think the A-400M will fly at all this year.
Quoting Tdscanuck (Reply 18): Quoting Starrion (Reply 17):
How about flying them the first opportunity that they are ready to go? Presuming you are working full speed, it bends probability that they will both reach "first flight" at the same moment.
They way I read the article is that they *will* fly at the first opportunity that they are ready to go, and that opportunity might happen at the same time on each program.
That is how I read it to. It is not a Boeing goal to fly both on the same day, it is only a possibility that it could happen.
LipeGIG From Brazil, joined May 2005, 8172 posts, RR: 63 Reply 21, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 3367 times:
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That's excelent news together with the fact it might deliver more than Boeing expect !
Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 6): It will be great to see the B-747-8F flying. I didn't expect all three test bed airplanes to be flying by the end of the year. Any more update on the B-787-8 flying by then, too? With both flying certifications tests together, that will be a big challange for both tests schedules.
The 748 no doubt is an easier project than the 787, and that's why i believe is easy to expect the 3 frames flying.
BrouAviation From Netherlands, joined Jun 2009, 434 posts, RR: 1 Reply 23, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 3268 times:
Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 20):
That would be great. I have not heard much about the A-330F lately, things have been quite from Airbus. I just don't think the A-400M will fly at all this year.
I read last week they were expecting new software on short term with which they could use the engines.
Any chance to see a 747-8F at Dubai Airshow 2009, 14-19 November? Emirates SkyCargo is a customer, isn't it?
Quoting Keesje (Thread starter): The 747-8 has entirely new wings, new General Electric engines built around the same technology as the Dreamliner engines, upgraded flight-deck avionics and a passenger cabin modeled on the 787 interior.
Is that really the color of the fan blades of the delivery units? Or is it some protective tape or something? Are they plastic composite of sorts?
25 Stitch: They were, but they sold their slots to a lessor and will lease back the frames upon delivery.
26 MCIGuy: I think someone has taken some special effects liberties in a photo program. To answer your question, yes, the GEnx has a composite fan.
27 Khobar: Boeing should maybe paint AIRBUS on the first 787 prior to flight. That way they might be able to sneak it into the air without anyone jumping up and
28 MCIGuy: I think anything with Airbus on the side in Everett would probably get just as much attention from the like of us.
29 Jbernie: I would be more comfortable predicting a 748 flight this year as overall it is much more evolution than revolution when compared to the 787. Heres hop
30 Braniff747SP: Unfortunately, the 748 wont fly this year-At an expense of $1B to Boeing. Boeing 747-8 Will Not Fly In 09, $1 Billion Charge (by Keesje Oct 6 2009 in
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. Add 747-8 and 787 in the US that makes 4 first flights in 2 months..
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