I bet Royal Air Maroc could get a great deal on 1435 if they wanted...

They stated interest in a single 747-8 last year.

Quoting seabosdca (Reply 78): Another test flight scheduled for LN 1435 (RC021, Lufthansa NTU) this morning. Wonder what they're doing with it?

Quoting 777X (Reply 80): I bet Royal Air Maroc could get a great deal on 1435 if they wanted...

And I bet LN1435 is going to storage in Marana soon and for the foreseeable future.

Quoting Laddie (Reply 81): And I bet LN1435 is going to storage in Marana soon and for the foreseeable future.

While that is likely, the question still stands regarding what the recent flights have been for. Is it to collect new numbers for the frame, since she is a bit of an oddball?

Anybody seen KE's 1st 748-8I in full paint yet?

I thought it got rolled into the paint hangar last week?

Customer flight today for Lufthansa's D-ABYU (RC040, LN 1514), the last 747-8 in their order.

Quoting Sooner787 (Reply 83):

No, that was RC550 a month ago. Look at Reply 70, it hasn't been painted. Probably won't be for a while.

[Edited 2015-04-22 10:04:41]

Yet another test flight for LN 1435 (RC021, LH NTU) this afternoon. That makes four flights since rework on the airplane was completed.

Quoting Sooner787 (Reply 83): Anybody seen KE's 1st 748-8I in full paint yet? I thought it got rolled into the paint hangar last week?

I believe an Air China 747-8i (LN1517/RC071) is in the paint shed now. It should emerge soon.

Quoting seabosdca (Reply 86): Yet another test flight for LN 1435 (RC021, LH NTU) this afternoon.

Several close-up shots of the aircraft:


N828BA Boeing 747-8 - C/N 37826 / LN 1435 by Woodys Aeroimages, on Flickr


N828BA Boeing 747-8 - C/N 37826 / LN 1435 by Woodys Aeroimages, on Flickr


N828BA Boeing 747-8 - C/N 37826 / LN 1435 by Woodys Aeroimages, on Flickr

Line 1435 is going into the paint hanger tonight. Fresh white paint for a stay in the desert? Or is there a surprise in store?

Quoting BiggerJetsPlz (Reply 89): Fresh white paint for a stay in the desert?

Multiple test flights and new paint just to send it to the desert? That doesn't sound like something Boeing would do. I could see doing a test flight to check change incorporation but multiple flights and new paint makes me think it could be something else. I am excited.

tortugamon

RC070/LN1515 handed over Thursday, and now on its way to China to enter service.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/CCA79

Quoting BiggerJetsPlz (Reply 89): Line 1435 is going into the paint hanger tonight. Fresh white paint for a stay in the desert? Or is there a surprise in store?

No surprise that I am aware of. Just a touch-up (get rid of the blue "tears" under the flight deck windows for starters), and check the weight and balance.

[Edited 2015-04-24 06:57:05]

Southern corner of Pinal Airpark (Marana), February 2015



Original uploaded by Andy, see : http://www.flickr.com/photos/egwu/16631584774/

Left hand 747-8F :
L/N 1502 - 747-83QF, RC672, serial number 60118, test registration N5023Q, N826BA, Boeing Capital Corporation, original ordered for Silkway West airlines, Asiana (Cargo)NTU? , all white livery, roll-out June 11 2014, F/F July 12 2014, Ferried at November 14 2014 to Victorville (KVCV) for a Paint hangar visit. Returned to Paine Field at November 23 2014, ferried to Pinal Airpark (KMZJ) for storage at Marana at December 12 2014.

Right hand 747-8I :
L/N 1495 - 747-8Z5, RC009, serial number 37501, UAE Presidential Flight, Boeing operator identification code : ABD , N974BA, future registration A6-PFB ?, white livery, roll out date January 21 2014, F/F February 19 2014, Ferried to Pinal Airpark (KMZJ) at March 12 2014, awaiting Hangar space at a VIP cabin outfitting company (Lufthansa Technik ?)

And the third 747-8 , stored at Marana, February 2015



Original uploaded by Andy, see : http://www.flickr.com/photos/egwu/17255252145/

L/N 1501 - 747-83QF, RC671, serial number 60117, test registration N5022E, (4K-SW883), N823BA, Boeing Capital Corporation, original ordered for Silkway West Airlines, Asiana (Cargo) NTU ? , all white livery, roll-out May 12 2014, F/F May 27 2014, ferried to KMZJ for storage at Marana at December 05 2014.

And don't forget line 1437:

More Boeings Pinal Airpark by ZD703, on Flickr

N770BA B748 and N672US Pinal by ZD703, on Flickr

[Edited 2015-04-25 11:24:09]

Quoting BiggerJetsPlz (Reply 95):

Look at all those 747's! Where is that airport and how do I get to it?

Quoting 29erUSA187 (Reply 96): Look at all those 747's! Where is that airport and how do I get to it?

Pinal Airpark, New Mexico, and you're best route is straight in, in a Cessna 172. One of the first things I'm gonna do when I get my PPL (damn 45 degree steep turns!)

Quoting BiggerJetsPlz (Reply 97): Pinal Airpark, New Mexico, and you're best route is straight in, in a Cessna 172. One of the first things I'm gonna do when I get my PPL (damn 45 degree steep turns!)

That would be Arizona "Not" New Mexico...

The airpark is located just off interstate 10, about 30 minutes NW of Tucson, AZ. An easy straight drive, no need for C-172.  

Not all that visitor friendly if I remember.

Quoting Laddie (Reply 92): Line 1435 is going into the paint hanger tonight. Fresh white paint for a stay in the desert? Or is there a surprise in store? No surprise that I am aware of. Just a touch-up (get rid of the blue "tears" under the flight deck windows

Fully correct Laddie, only a touch-up to protect the replaced section 41 skin panels (against the Arizona sunshine)
See : http://twitter.com/woody2190/status/592358015145156608

N828BA is currently on a test flight with the FAA .

The last 747-8 on order for DLH (D-ABYU/RC070/LN1514) is to be delivered and flown away today.

The last (?) 747-830 delivery flight for Lufthansa, D-ABYU, KPAE, April 30 2015


Original uploaded by Woodys Aeroimages, see : http://www.flickr.com/photos/woodysaeroimages/17325991892/

Aircraft data : L/N 1514 - 747-830, RC040, serial number 37845, D-ABYU, Lufthansa #19, full livery, Roll-out February 08 2015, F/F March 05 2015, Delivery and delivery flight (DLH9929-EDDF) date April 30 2015, PDM by Lufthansa Technik.

Attention :
Due last minute new 747-8 firing order information, the " Provisional 747-8 Aircraft Production List " of May 01 2015 will be published one or two days later.

[Edited 2015-05-01 01:49:56]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provisional 747-8 Aircraft Production List (May 01 - 2015)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The production list update has been delayed for one (1) day because last minute additions of the firing order became available at April 30.
These additions are only partially included because not all could be confirmed in time.

Updates from previous listing (April 01 - 2015) :
- Firing Order sequence change :
- Added to Firing order : L/N1528-RC661, L/N 1530-RC643, L/N1531-RC057
- Emerged from Final Assembly Line : L/N 1517-RC071
- First (B1) Flight :
- Delivered : L/N 1515-RC070, L/N 1514-RC040
- Ferried to KMZJ (into storage) :
- Ferried from KMZJ (out of storage) :

All delivered and/or active 747-8 aircraft up to 01 January 2015 are now only indicated by basic data, if no significant new info emerged in the last months, all other aircraft are indicated with detailed data included.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
98 Completed airframes , Delivered 89 (marked : @ ), Delivered 2011 (9), 2012 (31), 2013 (24), 2014 (19), 2015 (6)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

@ L/N 1420 - 747-8R7F, RC501, serial number 35808, Cargolux #1, LX-VCA

@ L/N 1421 - 747-8KZF, RC521, serial number 36136, NCA #1, JA11KZ

@ L/N 1422 - 747-8KZF, RC522, serial number 36137, NCA #2, JA12KZ

@ L/N 1423 - 747-8R7F, RC502, serial number 35806, Cargolux #2, LX-VCB

@ L/N 1424 - 747-8R7F, RC503, serial number 35807, F/F July-22-2010, test aircraft #4, full livery, name : City of Ettelbruck, test reg. N5573S, Cargolux reg. LX-VCC (LX-DCV-- NTU), selcal code CL-KQ. During flight testing recorded 420+ hours in 230 flights, Delivery and delivery flight (CLX789-KSEA-CYYC-ELLX) date: March-23-2012. Hard landing at Libreville (Gabon) at November 24 2014. Extensive structural damage was found at December 02. Aircraft was repaired at LUX by a Boeing AOG team. First (test)flight April 07 2015, after more than 4 months AOG.

@ L/N 1425 - 747-8HTF, RC541, serial number 37132, KAL #1, HL7609

@ L/N 1426 - 747-8HTF, RC546, serial number 37133, KAL #2, HL7610

@ L/N 1427 - 747-867F, RC551, serial number 39238, Cathay #1, B-LJA

@ L/N 1428 - 747-867F, RC552, serial number 39239, Cathay #2, B-LJB

@ L/N 1429 - 747-87UF, RC571, serial number 37562, Saudia Arabian Cargo #1 , HZ-AI3

@ L/N 1430 - 747-8HVF, RC601, serial number 37580, AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) #1, VQ-BGZ

@ L/N 1431 - 747-8KZF, RC523, serial number 36138, NCA #3, JA13KZ

@ L/N 1432 - 747-87UF, RC572, serial number 37563, Saudia Arabian Cargo #2, HZ-AI4

@ L/N 1433 - 747-867F, RC553, serial number 39240, Cathay #3, B-LJC

@ L/N 1434 - 747-8JK, RC001, serial number 38636, BBJ customer State of Kuwait), 9K-GAA

L/N 1435 - 747-830, RC021, serial number 37826, F/F April-26-2011, 747-8I test aircraft #2, test registration N6067U, Lufthansa #1 (NTU), selcal code CS-HP, basic LH color scheme, without lettering and LH logo, D-ABYE( NTU), Scheduled LH delivery date was September-30-2012 , Resumed additional flight testing (tail tank, GEnx-2B PIP, NGFMS updates) at May 20 2013, flight testing out of San Bernadino (KBSD) from May 26, returned to Moses Lake at June 18 for additional low altitude tests, from June 28 at Inca Manco Cápac Intl. airport Peru (JUL/SPJL) for high altitude airport tests, returned to Moses Lake via Houston at July 10, latest flight tests are flown from Boeing Field and Moses Lake, aircraft was scheduled to be sold later, but seems to be internally listed again for DLH? Refurbishment to production standard at the KPAE flight line seems to be completed. Re-registered at December 12 2014 : N828BA, Scheduled for storage at Marana.

@ L/N 1436 - 747-8R7F, RC504, serial number 35809, Cargolux #4, LX-VCD.

L/N 1437 - 747-87UF, RC573, serial number 37564, (ordered and assembled to become Atlas Air #3, white livery with both rudders painted in Atlas livery, operator airplane number 852), aircraft NTU, re-registered N770BA at Jan 22-2013, selcal code DJ-KM, F/F April 15 2013, Used for (FAA)test flights (FMS software update verification flights) from September 19 till/incl. November 21, Ferried to Boeing Field (KBFI) at November 22, Returned to KPAE at December 20. Emerged from the 45-05 paint hangar with a special “ Seattle Seahawks “livery at January 29 2014. The Seattle Seahawks logos are removed in May 2014. Ferried to Victorville (KVCV) at July 01 2014 for “engine work”. Returned to Paine Field at September 10 2014. Ferried to Marana (KMZJ) at November 12 2014.

@ L/N 1438 - 747-867F, RC554, serial number 39241, Cathay # 4, B-LJD

@ L/N 1439 - 747-8KB , RC002, serial number 37544, BBJ customer Qatar Amiri Flight , test registration N5022E, registration A7-HHE, white livery, F/F Jan-30-2012, Delivery date Feb-27-2012, Delivery flight (A7HHE-CYVR-KIAB) date Feb-28-2012. Greenpoint Technologies Aeroloft cabin has been installed at Boeing Global Transport & Executive Systems (GTES) in Wichita, Kansas, Ferry flight to Hamburg at Aug- 29-2012, Cabin outfitting at Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg, Germany. Aircraft spotted outside hangar at HAM at December 30 2014, still in white livery.

@ L/N 1440 - 747-8Z5 , RC003, serial number 37500, BBJ customer UAE Presidential Flight Authority), A6-PFA

@ L/N 1441 - 747-867F, RC555, serial number 39242, Cathay #5 , B-LJE

@ L/N 1442 - 747-87UF, RC574, serial number 37561, Atlas Air #1 , N856GT

@ L/N 1443 - 747-830, RC022, serial number 37827, Lufthansa #1, D-ABYA

@ L/N 1444 - 747-87UF, RC575, serial number 37568, Atlas Air #2, N857GT

@ L/N 1445 - 747-87UF, RC576, serial number 37569, Atlas Air #3, N858GT

@ L/N 1446 - 747-8JA , RC004, serial number 40065 , BBJ customer Saudi Arabian Government ?, N458BJ

@ L/N 1447 - 747-867F, RC556, serial number 39243, Cathay #6 , B-LJF

@ L/N 1448 - 747-8HVF, RC 602, serial number 37581, AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) #2, VQ-BLQ

@ L/N 1449 - 747-8KB , RC005, serial number 37075, BBJ customer Qatar Amiri flight, A7-HJA

@ L/N 1450 - 747-867F, RC557, serial number 39244, Cathay #7, B-LJG

@ L/N 1451 - 747-830, RC023, serial number 37828, Lufthansa #2, D-ABYC

@ L/N 1452 - 747-8HVF, RC603, serial number 37668, , AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) #3, VQ-BLR

@ L/N 1453 - 747-830, RC024, serial number 37829, Lufthansa #3 , D-ABYD

@ L/N 1454 -747-8R7F, RC505, serial number 35810, Cargolux #5, LX-VCE

@ L/N 1455 - 747-87UF, RC577, serial number 37570, Atlas Air #4, N850GT

@ L/N 1456 - 747-830, RC025, serial number 37830, Lufthansa #4, D-ABYF

@ L/N 1457 - 747-867F, RC558, serial number 39245, Cathay #8 , B-LJH

@ L/N 1458 - 747-87UF, RC578, serial number 37565, Atlas Air #5, N851GT

@ L/N 1459 - 747-8LQ , RC006, serial number 41060, BBJ customer Bahrain Royal Flight ?, N455BJ

@ L/N 1460 - 747-867F, RC559, serial number 39247, Cathay #9, B-LJI

@ L/N 1461 - 747-8R7F, RC506, serial number 35811, Cargolux #6, LX-VCF

@ L/N 1462 - 747-87UF, RC579, serial number 37571, Atlas Air #6, N852GT

@ L/N 1463 - 747-8HVF, RC604, serial number 37669, Air Bridge Cargo Airlines (ABC) #4 , VQ-BRH

@ L/N 1464 - 747-867F, RC560, serial number 39246, Cathay #10, B-LJJ

@ L/N 1465 - 747-8R7F, RC507, serial number 35812, Cargolux #7, LX-VCG

@ L/N 1466 - 747-8H0, RC007, serial number 39749, BBJ customer Royal Flight Oman, A4O-HMS

@ L/N 1467 - 747-87UF, RC580, serial number 37572, Atlas Air #7, N853GT

@ L/N 1468 - 747-8ZV, RC008,serial number 42096, Lessor : Worldwide Aircraft Holding Company – Bermuda, Customer : Former Emir of Qatar (Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Abdullah bin Jassim bin Muhammed Al Thani), registration VQ-BSK (VQ-B = Bermuda / SK = Sheikh Khalifa), full “old style Qatar “livery, Roll-out November 08-2012, F/F December 13 2012, Delivery date December 20-2012, Delivery flight (VQBSK-CYVR-KSKF) date December 21-2012. VVIP cabin outfitting by Greenpoint Technologies at San Antonio (TX). At the same location also an elevator system (Aerolift) and an Aeroloft modification kit was installed. First test flight performed at October 22 2014. Delivery after cabin outfitting : December 24 2014. Delivery flight Lackland AFB, San Antonio (KSKF) -Bournemouth ( EGHH) January 15 2015.

@ L/N 1469 - 747-8KZF, RC524, serial number 37394, NCA#4, JA14KZ

@ L/N 1470 - 747-830, RC026, serial number 37831, Lufthansa #5, D-ABYG

@ L/N 1471 - 747-87UF, RC581, Atlas Air #8, serial number 37566, N854GT

@ L/N 1472 - 747-830, RC027, serial number 37832, Lufthansa #6, D-ABYH

@ L/N 1473 - 747-8R7F, RC508, serial number 35821, Cargolux #8, LX-VCH

@ L/N 1474 - 747-8B5F, RC547, serial number 37654, KAL#3, HL7617

@ L/N 1475 - 747-830, RC028, serial number 37833, Lufthansa #7, D-ABYI

@ L/N 1476 - 747-87UF, RC582, serial number 37567, Atlas Air #9, N855GT

@ L/N 1477 - 747-830, RC029, serial number 37834, Lufthansa #8, D-ABYJ

@ L/N 1478 - 747-8R7F, RC509, serial number 35822, Cargolux #9, LX-VCI

@ L/N 1479 - 747-8KZF, RC525, serial number 36139, NCA #5, JA15KZ

@ L/N 1480 - 747-830, RC030, serial number 37835, Lufthansa #9, D-ABYK

@ L/N 1481 - 747-8B5F, RC548, serial number 37655, KAL Cargo #4, HL7623

@ L/N 1482 - 747-8HVF, RC605, serial number 37670, Air Bridge Cargo( ABC) #5, VQ-BRJ

@ L/N 1483 - 747-867F, RC561, serial number 43394, Cathay Pacific #11, B-LJK

@ L/N 1484 - 747-867F, RC562, serial number 43536, Cathay Pacific #12, B-LJL

@ L/N 1485 - 747-8KZF, RC526, serial number 37393, NCA #6, JA16KZ

@ L/N 1486 - 747-867F, RC563, serial number 43825, Cathay Pacific #13, B-LJM

@ L/N 1487 - 747-8KZF, RC527, serial number 36140, NCA #7, JA17KZ

@ L/N 1488 - 747-8B5F, RC549, serial number 37656, KAL Cargo #5, HL7624

@ L/N 1489 - 747-8KZF, RC528, serial number 36141, NCA #8, JA18KZ

@ L/N 1490 - 747-8R7F, RC510, serial number 38077, Cargolux #10, LX-VCJ

@ L/N 1491 - 747-8R7F, RC511, serial number 38078, Cargolux #11, LX-VCK

@ L/N 1492 - 747-830, RC031, serial number 37836, Lufthansa #10, D-ABYL

@ L/N 1493 - 747-83QF, RC641, serial number 44444, Silkway West Airlines #1, VQ-BVB

@ L/N 1494 - 747-830, RC032, serial number 37837, Lufthansa #11, D-ABYM

L/N 1495 - 747-8Z5, RC009, serial number 37501, UAE Presidential Flight, Boeing operator identification code : ABD , N974BA, future registration A6-PFB ?, white livery, KPAE flight line , roll out date January 21 2014, F/F February 19 2014, Ferried to Pinal Airpark (KMZJ) at March 12 2014, awaiting Hangar space at a VIP cabin outfitting company (Lufthansa Technik ?)

@ L/N 1496 - 747-83QF, RC642, serial number 44937, Silkway West Airlines, #2, VQ-BVC

@ L/N 1497 - 747-830, RC033, serial number 37838, Lufthansa #12, D-ABYN

@ L/N 1498 - 747-830, RC034, serial number 37841, Lufthansa #13, D-ABYO

@ L/N 1499 - 747-89L, RC066, serial number 41191, Air China #1, B-2485

@ L/N 1500 - 747-830, RC035, serial number 37839, Lufthansa #14, D-ABYP

L/N 1501 - 747-83QF, RC671, serial number 60117, test registration N5022E, (4K-SW883), N823BA, Boeing Capital Corporation, original ordered for Silkway West Airlines, Asiana (Cargo) NTU ? , all white livery, roll-out May 12 2014, F/F May 27 2014, ferried to KMZJ for storage at Marana at December 05 2014.

L/N 1502 - 747-83QF, RC672, serial number 60118, test registration N5023Q, N826BA, Boeing Capital Corporation, original ordered for Silkway West airlines, Asiana (Cargo)NTU? , all white livery, roll-out June 11 2014, F/F July 12 2014, Ferried at November 14 2014 to Victorville (KVCV) for a Paint hangar visit. Returned to Paine Field at November 23 2014, ferried to KMZJ for storage at Marana at December 12 2014.

@ L/N 1503 - 747-830, RC036, serial number 37840, Lufthansa #15, D-ABYQ,

@ L/N 1504 - 747-8R7F, RC512, serial number 35823, N820BA, LX-VCL, Cargolux #12, full livery, roll-out July 17 2014, , F/F Jan 30 2015, ferried KPAE-VCV for paint at Feb 06 2015, returned at February 18th. Delivery and delivery flight (CLX789-KSEA-ELLX) date : March 05 2015.

@ L/N 1505 - 747-867F, RC564, serial number 60687, AirBridgeCargo #6, VQ-BVR

L/N 1506 - 747-8B5, RC051, serial number 40905, HL 7630?, KAL (Intercontinental) #1, unpainted with light blue rudders, roll-out date August 20 2014, KPAE flight line , engines seem to be installed. Scheduled delivery July 2015.

@ L/N 1507 - 747-89L, RC067, serial number 41192, Air China #2, B-2486

@ L/N 1508 - 747-89L, RC068, serial number 44932, Air China #3, B-2487

L/N 1509 - 747-8B5, RC052, serial number 40906, KAL (intercontinental) #2, unpainted with light blue rudders, no engines, KPAE Tower Apron (short term storage), roll-out date : October 20 2014, Scheduled delivery August 2015.

@ L/N 1510 - 747-89L, RC069, serial number 41193, Air China #4, B-2479

@ L/N 1511 - 747-830, RC037, serial number 37842, D-ABYR, Lufthansa #16, full livery, named : Bremen, roll-out November 28 2014, F/F December 18 2014, Delivery and delivery flight (DLH8975-EDDF) date Jan 26 2015, PDM by Lufthansa Technik. First operational flight (DLH796-VHHH) February 13 2015.

@ L/N 1512 - 747-830, RC038, serial number 37843, D-ABYS, Lufthansa #17, full livery, named : Dresden, roll-out December 19 2014, F/F January 29 2015, Delivery and delivery flight (DLH9931-EDDF)date Feb 19 2015, PDM by Lufthansa Technik. First operational flight (DLH754-VOBL) March 20 2015.

@ L/N 1513 - 747-830, RC039, serial number 37844, D-ABYT, Lufthansa #18, special “ retro ” livery, named : Köln, Roll-out January 17 2015, F/F February 14 2015, Delivery March 20 2015, Delivery flight (DLH9917-EDDF)date March 25 2015, PDM by Lufthansa Technik. First operational flight (DLH404-KJFK)April 15 2015.

@ L/N 1514 - 747-830, RC040, serial number 37845, D-ABYU, Lufthansa #19, full livery, Roll-out February 08 2015, F/F March 05 2015, Delivery and delivery flight (DLH9929-EDDF) date April 30 2015, PDM by Lufthansa Technik.

@ L/N 1515 - 747-89L, RC070, serial number 41847, B-2481, Air China #5, full livery, KPAE flight line, Roll-out 27 February 2015, F/F March 26 2015, Delivery April 23 2015. Deliver flight (CCA79-ZBAA) date April 24 2015.

L/N 1516 - 747-8B5F, RC550, serial number 37657, HL7629, KAL Cargo #6, full livery, KPAE flight line, Roll-out March 13 2015, scheduled delivery July 2015.

L/N 1517 - 747-89L, RC071, serial number 44933, B-2482, Air China #6, full livery, KPAE flight line, roll-out April 07 2015

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At this moment : 4 Airframes at the Final Assembly Line (FAL) at Everett Building 40-22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
L/N 1518 - 747-89L, RC072, serial number 41194, B-2480, Air China #7, slant position #1
L/N 1519 - 747-85M , RC076, serial number 42416, Transaero Airlines #1, slant position #2
L/N 1520 - 747-83QF, RC673, Boeing operator identification code 662, final body join position
L/N 1521 - 747-83QF, RC674, Boeing operator identification code 662, wing/body join position

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Firing order : 10 Airframes , scheduled for Final Assembly (Subject to change).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

L/N 1522 - 747-8R7F, RC513, serial number 61169, LX-VCM, Cargolux #13
L/N 1523 - 747-85M, RC077, serial number 42417, Transaero Airlines #2
L/N 1524 - 747-8B5, RC053, serial number 40907, KAL (intercontinental) #3, scheduled delivery October 2015.
L/N 1525 - 747-8B5, RC054, serial number 40908, KAL (intercontinental) #4, scheduled delivery November 2015.
L/N 1526 - 747-867F, RC565, serial number --------, B-LJN ?, Cathay #14, delivery 2016 ?
L/N 1527 - 747-8B5, RC055, serial number 60407, KAL (intercontinental) #5
L/N 1528 - 747-8B5F, RC661, KAL Cargo #7
L/N 1529 - 747-8B5, RC056, KAL (intercontinental) #6
L/N 1530 - 747-83QF ?, RC643, Silkway West Airlines, Boeing operator identification code IWA
L/N 1531 - 747-8B5, RC057, KAL (intercontinental) #7

? = Not confirmed


I will try to publish the following updates on the first of each month to stay synchronized with the monthly Boeing delivery publications.

Please feel free to add updates, corrections and remarks by replies in this thread (or by PM).

Cheers, Peter.

[Edited 2015-05-02 00:22:34]

L/N 1517 , B-2482, the next 747-8 Intercontinental for Air China performed her first (B1) flight at May 01 towards Moses Lake (KMWH) with callsign BOE071

See : http://flightaware.com/live/flight/B...1/history/20150501/1800Z/KPAE/KMWH

A nice video of the high-speed taxi test, followed by the first departure of B-2482 can be seen here :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvZFUsIkdT0

Aircraft data : L/N 1517 - 747-89L, RC071, serial number 44933, B-2482, Air China #6, full livery, KPAE flight line, roll-out April 07 2015, F/F May 01 2015.

Quoting 747classic (Reply 106): L/N 1517 , B-2482, the next 747-8 Intercontinental for Air China performed her first (B1) flight at May 01 towards Moses Lake (KMWH) with callsign BOE071

Flying a B-2 now. Just made it's third pass over the house doing RNAV (?) approaches to 34L just below the clouds -- a beautiful sight and quiet too.

First test flight of A7-HHE from Hamburg, after VIP cabin interior completion by Lufthansa Technik.

EDDH/HAM, A7-HHE, May 07 2015


Original uploaded by Axel1967, see : http://www.aviation-friends-hamburg-forum.de/showthread.php?tid=9228
and scroll down for more pictures of A7-HHE.

Aircraft data : L/N 1439 - 747-8KB , RC002, serial number 37544, BBJ customer Qatar Amiri Flight , test registration N5022E, registration A7-HHE, white livery, F/F Jan-30-2012, Delivery date Feb-27-2012, Delivery flight (A7HHE-CYVR-KIAB) date Feb-28-2012. Greenpoint Technologies Aeroloft cabin has been installed at Boeing Global Transport & Executive Systems (GTES) in Wichita, Kansas, Ferry flight to Hamburg at Aug- 29-2012, Cabin outfitting at Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg, Germany. Aircraft spotted outside hangar at December 30 2014. First test flight after VIP interior completion : May 07 2015.

Quoting 747classic (Reply 22): A delivery flightplan with callsign DLH9917 has been filed for LN1513/D-ABYT today, ETD 16:40 PDT, ETA EDDF/FRA at 09.44 CET.

Seems that D-ABYT was delivered without premium economy seats.

http://planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=1363013
http://planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=1363014

[Edited 2015-05-08 12:55:30]

Quoting KarelXWB (Reply 109):

Probably because of Zodiac.

Quoting karadion (Reply 110): Probably because of Zodiac.

Consider they are produced by ZIM Flugsitz, I don't think Zodiac can be blamed here.

They are anyway made in Germany, and Lufthansa is getting a lot of experience installing these seats, so why not do it themselves in Germany, instead of shipping the seats to Seattle

Quoting KarelXWB (Reply 109): Seems that D-ABYT was delivered without premium economy seats

The aircraft (and AFAIK also D-ABYU) was delivered without economy seats, because Lufthansa had a surplus of these seats in stock, left over from the recent reconfiguration of older aircraft with more premium economy seats.

These spare seats are installed during Post Delivery Maintenance (PDM) at Lufthansa Technik at Frankfurt.

Quoting Someone83 (Reply 111):

Quoting 747classic (Reply 112):

Oh make sense. I was just running on an assumption  

Quoting 747classic (Reply 108): First test flight of A7-HHE from Hamburg, after VIP cabin interior completion by Lufthansa Technik.

And a nice video of the first test flight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asCdiuLjqm0

Quoting KarelXWB (Reply 114):

If you look at the still photos in Reply 108 and the video in Reply 114, you can plainly see that the nosewheel and MLG doors are open as it approaches the runway, and the aircraft performs a go-around prior to landing. At 2:30 in the video, you can see the doors close and then re-open as the LG is raised. It would appear that there was a malfunction of some kind here.

Quoting audidudi (Reply 115): If you look at the still photos in Reply 108 and the video in Reply 114, you can plainly see that the nosewheel and MLG doors are open as it approaches the runway, and the aircraft performs a go-around prior to landing. At 2:30 in the video, you can see the doors close and then re-open as the LG is raised. It would appear that there was a malfunction of some kind here.

It looks like some kind of Ram Air Turbine (RAT)-test is done with one or more hydraulic pumps in depress mode, because the RAT is deployed.
With hyd syst #1 not pressurized the landing gear doors of the nose and body gears remain open, with syst #4 not pressurized the wing gear doors remain open.
The RAT at the 747-8 series powers hydraulic system #3 in case of an emergency (all engines failed) , because the GEnx engines deliver not sufficient hydraulic pressure at wind milling speed.
The RAT delivers controllability in all flight axes for this kind of emergency landing.
For this purpose the following flight controls are powered by the RAT via hyd syst #3 :
- Stabilzer
- Elevator feel
- Spoilers 1,4,9 and 12
- Left inboard aileron
- Right outb aileron
- Upper rudder
- Right inboard elevator
- Left inboard and outboard elevator (switched over from other hydraulic systems during RAT operation)

Quoting 747classic (Reply 116):

Thanks for the explanation! That makes perfect sense for these kind of checks being done, considering the aircraft has been sitting on the ground without flying for almost three years!

747classic....Does the 747-8 still have 4 EDP's and 4 ADP's in addition to the RAT. I know the 747-100/200/300/400 have the 4 EDP's & 4 ADP's

Quoting audidudi (Reply 115): If you look at the still photos in Reply 108 and the video in Reply 114, you can plainly see that the nosewheel and MLG doors are open as it approaches the runway, and the aircraft performs a go-around prior to landing. At 2:30 in the video, you can see the doors close and then re-open as the LG is raised. It would appear that there was a malfunction of some kind here.

No malfunction, normal production/acceptance check. Checking the gear ground proximity warning ("TOO LOW GEAR") which occurs at 500 feet is accomplished during an approach that terminates in a go-around. With Boeing airplanes that only have a two position landing gear lever (UP/DOWN -- 747-8/777/787) the gear must be extended using the alternate system and the lever left in the UP position to get the warning, then selected DOWN -- therefore the gear doors remain open until the gear lever is put in the UP position during the go-around. On three position airplanes (UP/OFF/DOWN -- 737/747/757/767) the handle can be put in the OFF position to accomplish the check.

Quoting 7BOEING7 (Reply 119): No malfunction, normal production/acceptance check

Thanks for the clear explanation.
The RAT-test must have been performed earlier during the acceptance flight (at higher altitude) for safety reasons.

Quoting xms3200 (Reply 118): 747classic....Does the 747-8 still have 4 EDP's and 4 ADP's in addition to the RAT. I know the 747-100/200/300/400 have the 4 EDP's & 4 ADP's

No, the 747-8 has two Air Driven demand pumps at systems 1 & 4 and two electrical driven demand pumps at systems 2 & 3. (like the 744 hydraulic system lay-out)
However , the capacity of all pumps has been increased (777 style pumps) to handle the larger flight control power demands.
System 1 and 4 also have electric aux pumps for ground handling operations.

[Edited 2015-05-10 22:54:09]

Quoting 747classic (Reply 120): The RAT-test must have been performed earlier during the acceptance flight (at higher altitude) for safety reasons.

  

Quoting 747classic (Reply 120): No, the 747-8 has two Air Driven demand pumps at systems 1 & 4 and two electrical driven demand pumps at systems 2 & 3. (like the 744 hydraulic system lay-out)

Some 747's including 744's had air driven pumps on 2/3 instead of electrical -- customer option. KAL was one of them -- I'm not sure if that was available on the 748.

I was watching the video posted by Karel and noticed that the leading edge slats retract on landing at the same time the spoilers are deployed, only to go back to the deployed position once the aircraft has slowed to taxi speed. It happens on both the sequences where the aircraft is landing so I suppose that is the usual. Does anybody know why is that? I had never seen this before.

[Edited 2015-05-11 22:24:36]

Quoting FAEDC3 (Reply 122):

It's a test flight.

Quoting FAEDC3 (Reply 122): I was watching the video posted by Karel and noticed that the leading edge slats retract on landing at the same time the spoilers are deployed, only to go back to the deployed position once the aircraft has slowed to taxi speed. It happens on both the sequences where the aircraft is landing so I suppose that is the usual. Does anybody know why is that? I had never seen this before.

When you go into reverse various sets of leading edge devices retract depending on model.

Another AOG for a Cargolux 747-8F.

LX-VCI has lost a non-structural wing panel during flight (CV870) from Luxembourg towards Beirut at May 06.
Post flight inspection revealed, that a wing panel, size 1.5 by 2 meters, not part of the wing's central structure, was missing from the aircraft. The panel contacted the aircraft's tail plane however left no damage when it separated from the aircraft. The aircraft is going to be repaired in Beirut. (and seems to be still on the ground in Beirut at this moment)
See : http://www.avherald.com/h?article=485f1aab&opt=768
And : http://planefinder.net/data/aircraft/LX-VCI

Aircraft data : L/N 1478 - 747-8R7F, RC509, serial number 35822, Cargolux #9, temp. reg. N775BA, registration LX-VCI, full livery, named : City of Troisvierges, F/F May 20 2013, Ferried to Pinal Airpark (KMZJ) for storage at June 21, 2013. Returned to Paine Field at August 27 2013. Delivery and delivery flight (CLX789-KLAX-ELLX) date September 26 2013.

Quoting 7BOEING7 (Reply 124): When you go into reverse various sets of leading edge devices retract depending on model.

Thanks for the info... quite interesting to know

During today's Boeing Investors Day meeting, Conner said the 747-8 would remain profitable even producing at 1/month. He appears to laying the groundwork for another 747 rate reduction announcement. FYI, as of April, there are only 33 747s in the backlog.

Excerpt from Puget Sound Business Journal:

Boeing’s largest plane may have a new life if rising cargo volumes bring in actual orders. In the meantime, though, Boeing is at least considering a further decrease in the number of 747-8 planes it makes.

And at the current production rate of 1.3 aircraft monthly, the Boeing 747-8 is still making money and Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Ray Conner on Tuesday said it could stay profitable at even one monthly.

That was the first inference that Boeing has considered another rate decrease for the Everett line.

Entire article is here: http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/n...+-+Puget+Sound+Business+Journal%29

Quoting 747classic (Reply 63): The first "close by" picture of L/N1516, the sixth 747-8 freighter for KAL cargo.

LN 1516 was seen in the same spot yesterday:


HL7629 Korean Air Lines Boeing 747-8F - cn 37657 / ln 1516 by Woodys Aeroimages, on Flickr

Quoting Laddie (Reply 127): Conner said the 747-8 would remain profitable even producing at 1/month.

While it may be true, at that rate, they will "never" be able to catch up with all the defered 747-8 program costs