747-8 troubles, the latest news...

[PurduePilot]

Boeing press release:

Boeing, Air China Sign Agreement for 747-8 Intercontinentals

Air China to become first Chinese customer for Boeing's newest jumbo jet

HONG KONG, March 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Air China today signed an agreement for the purchase of five 747-8 Intercontinental jetliners. Air China is the first Chinese carrier to contract the passenger version of the new, fuel-efficient 747-8.

The agreement requires Chinese government approval, at which time it will be posted to the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website.

"Air China has been operating 747s since the 1980s," said He Li, vice president of Air China. "The new, high capacity Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental will deliver exceptional economics and a great flying experience to our customers."

Air China, the flag carrier of the People's Republic of China, will use the airplanes to expand its international routes.

"The technologically advanced 747-8 Intercontinental will deliver improved operating economics, efficiency and environmental performance in support of Air China's continued growth," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales & Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Air China has become one of the fastest growing airlines in the world and today is one of the world's largest carriers. We're proud to be part of their success and look forward to continuing our long and enduring partnership."

The new 747-8 Intercontinental carries 467 passengers in a three-class configuration. The airplane features a new wing design and an upgraded flight deck. The airplane interior incorporates features from the 787 Dreamliner including a new curved, upswept architecture that will give passengers a greater sense of space and comfort, while adding more room for personal belongings. The architecture will be accentuated by lighting technology that provides smooth transitions for a more restful flight.

Using 787-technology GEnx-2B engines, the airplane will be quieter, produce lower emissions and achieve better fuel economy than any competing jetliner. It also increases cargo volume by 26 percent.

[J]

It appears the first flight of the Intercontinental will be Sunday March 20

Excerpt:
Although the company declined to confirm the date, company sources say the engine runs came two days ahead of schedule, Flight International reports, showing Boeing’s eagerness to get their largest ever passenger jet in the air.

The 747-8 Intercontinental ran its engines for the first time on Tuesday in an important milestone for the programme. The engines were run for approximately two hours and 45 minutes. They were operated at various power settings to ensure all systems performed as expected. Basic systems checks continued throughout the test before the engines were powered down and inspected. They will be restarted following a technical review. The Boeing test team completed a vibration check and monitored the shutdown to ensure everything functioned as expected.

"The integrated airplane systems and engines performed as expected," said Elizabeth Lund, vice president and deputy program manager of the 747 programme. "This result allows us to continue moving forward to first flight."

Source:
http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?o ... Itemid=107

[J]

First Flight - photos and video

http://www.zdnet.com.au/boeing-747-8-in ... 662.htm#vp

[J]

Verbal Fights Nausea during Flight Load Survey

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/ ... 8220110416

[PurduePilot]

Verbal Fights Nausea during Flight Load Survey

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/ ... 8220110416

That's a lie--they don't trust him enough to let him near the airplanes.

[OldSowBreath]

When aree they going to barrel-roll it like Tex did with the 707?

[Verbal]

That's a lie--they don't trust him enough to let him near the airplanes.

Concur.

[Verbal]

[PurduePilot]

That's how I feel in the locker room.

[Gabriel]

That's how I feel in the locker room.

You feel orange or blue?

[J]

Here is an interesting video of a rejected take off braking test. No fire.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/ ... 0320110507

[PurduePilot]

Here is an interesting video of a rejected take off braking test. No fire.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/ ... 0320110507

That video is boring. This one is much more exciting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRzWp67PIMw

[OldSowBreath]

I guess they forgot the French Stairs Movers Union was on strike that day.

[flyboy2548m]

Here is an interesting video of a rejected take off braking test. No fire.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/ ... 0320110507

What's with the huge bowtie on the Asian girl?

[Sickbag]

What's with the huge bowtie on the Asian girl?

It spins round when she's happy.

[J]

Now you Can Buy a 747-8 Without Engines

Purchasers of a VIP 747-8 Intercontinental can now borrow engines to ferry their new plane from the factory to their chosen customization center. The borrowed engines would then be removed and brand new engines placed on the wing after the bathtubs and rotating beds have been installed, perhaps two years later. No need to pay interest or conduct maintenance on the engines during that period.

http://www.iewy.com/26340-boeing-busine ... ental.html

[Procede]

Now you Can Buy a 747-8 Without Engines

Purchasers of a VIP 747-8 Intercontinental can now borrow engines to ferry their new plane from the factory to their chosen customization center. The borrowed engines would then be removed and brand new engines placed on the wing after the bathtubs and rotating beds have been installed, perhaps two years later. No need to pay interest or conduct maintenance on the engines during that period.

http://www.iewy.com/26340-boeing-busine ... ental.html

What's next? A shortage of concrete for the required concrete blocks?

[Verbal]

Boeing Signs Orders and Commitments for 17 747-8 Intercontinentals
-- Two customers place orders during Paris Air Show

LE BOURGET, France, June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced orders and commitments for 17 747-8 Intercontinentals. Placed by two undisclosed customers, the combined deals are valued at $5.4 billion at list prices. One carrier has committed to 15 of the new passenger version of the 747-8 while another carrier placed an order for two.

"These orders for the 747-8 Intercontinental mark a major milestone for the program and demonstrate the market's need for an airplane of its size and range," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "It will play a valuable role in further growing these carriers long-haul route networks."

The orders bring the 747-8 Intercontinental total backlog to 50 firm aircraft, plus five from a commitment from Air China contingent on Chinese Government approval. It also brings the total 747-8 backlog, including 76 747-8 Freighters, to 126.

The new 747-8 Intercontinental carries 467 passengers in a three-class configuration. The airplane features a new wing design and an upgraded flight deck. The airplane interior incorporates features from the 787 Dreamliner including a new curved, upswept architecture that will give passengers a greater sense of space and comfort, while adding more room for personal belongings. The architecture will be accentuated by lighting technology that provides smooth transitions for a more restful flight.

Using 787-technology GEnx-2B engines, the airplane will be quieter, produce lower emissions and achieve better fuel economy than any competing jetliner. The 747-8 Intercontinental is more than 10 percent lighter per seat than the Airbus A380 and consumes 11 percent less fuel per passenger. That translates into a trip-cost reduction of 21 percent and a seat-mile cost reduction of more than 6 percent compared to the A380.

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1793

[J]

747-8F Wins FAA, European Certification
Excerpt:
August 22
Boeing has received joint FAA and European EASA certification for the 747-8F, clearing the way for first deliveries to begin in early September to launch customer Cargolux.

The flight test effort involved five aircraft, more than 1,200 flights and 3,400 hr. since the first flight on Feb. 8, 2010. Certification was only achieved after overcoming unexpected aerodynamic and structural interaction issues with the aircraft’s revised wing and flight control surfaces, as well as some delays to the Honeywell-developed flight management computer (FMC).

“We have fully certified black label (service compliant) software for entry-into-service, although there is some catalog functionality that is being deferred,” Boeing says. The FMC entering service on Cargolux’s first aircraft will “have all the functionality of the in-service (747-400) FMC,” says Boeing. However, planned 747-8 new features such as the ability to operate to required navigation performance (RNP) values of 0.1 nautical mi. separation, and special quiet climb algorithms, will not be introduced until software is upgraded in 2012. For now, the 747-8F will share the RNP 0.3 standard of current 747-400s.

Source: http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/ ... tification

[Verbal]

Sep. 2, 2011 9:07 am CT
747-8 program to deliver 1st Freighter Sept. 19
Delivery week events include a second delivery, gala celebrations

In a highly anticipated milestone, Boeing will deliver the first 747-8 Freighter to launch customer Cargolux on the morning of Sept. 19.

The Luxembourg-based cargo airline will take delivery of a second Freighter two days later, on Sept. 21.

The day between deliveries – Sept. 20 -- will be marked by gala celebrations of first delivery for employees and for the customer.

“It’s so exciting to be able to deliver two of these amazing airplanes to Cargolux,” said Elizabeth Lund, vice president and general manager, Boeing 747 Program. “Cargolux has been a great partner for many years, and we so appreciate its deep commitment to this program.”

Details on the first-delivery celebrations will be announced soon.

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1911

[OldSowBreath]

Will there be an A-380 pinata?

[Hazmat]

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/flightblogger/

Cargolux has informed Boeing it will not take delivery of its first 747-8 freighter on Monday as planned, due to a contractual tussle, the airframer confirms.

Deliveries suspended for now, what's going on Verbal?

[Verbal]

***This message is being sent from Elizabeth Lund, vice president and general manager, 747 program, to all 747 employees.***

First delivery update

Earlier this morning we received notification from our launch customer Cargolux that it would not take delivery of its first airplane on Monday. We are working closely with Cargolux to determine the delivery dates for both its first and second airplanes.

In light of these events, the employee celebration on Tuesday has been cancelled.

I am disappointed to have to share this information with you. Please know that your hard work and dedication is tremendously appreciated. I remain confident that we will work through these issues and look forward to celebrating the delivery of this great airplane with you.

Elizabeth

[Verbal]

People are pleading ignorance, but I would suspect that Cargolux is trying to squeeze a few more concessionary $$ out of Boeing for the long delays. Just a guess.

[tds]

"[T]he employee celebration on Tuesday has been cancelled" is surely the most depressing sentence in the English language. It works on so many levels.