Boeing: 747-8 super-freighter set to fly Monday
SEATTLE - Boeing's giant 747-8 freighter is scheduled to make its debut flight on Monday morning.
The company says the big jet performed well on taxi tests on Saturday and reached a top speed of about 103.5 mph.
The jet is scheduled to take off on its first flight at 10 a.m. Monday from Paine Field in Everett, with Capt. Mark Feuerstein, 747 chief pilot, and Capt. Tom Imrich, senior 747 test pilot, at the controls.
At 250 feet long, the plane is the largest Boeing has ever built. It's about 18 feet longer than the existing 747-400 jumbo jet and more than twice the length of the Wright Brothers' first flight.
Mo Yahyavi, the 747 program's vice president and general manager, says, "Based on early indications, the airplane is ready to fly."
Boeing also is developing a passenger version of the plane. It lists 76 orders for the freighter and 32 for the 747-8 passenger jet, with the vast majority from international customers.
The company says the jets will be much quieter, more fuel efficient and have lower emissions than current 747-400 models.
The company says the big jet performed well on taxi tests on Saturday and reached a top speed of about 103.5 mph.
The jet is scheduled to take off on its first flight at 10 a.m. Monday from Paine Field in Everett, with Capt. Mark Feuerstein, 747 chief pilot, and Capt. Tom Imrich, senior 747 test pilot, at the controls.
At 250 feet long, the plane is the largest Boeing has ever built. It's about 18 feet longer than the existing 747-400 jumbo jet and more than twice the length of the Wright Brothers' first flight.
Mo Yahyavi, the 747 program's vice president and general manager, says, "Based on early indications, the airplane is ready to fly."
Boeing also is developing a passenger version of the plane. It lists 76 orders for the freighter and 32 for the 747-8 passenger jet, with the vast majority from international customers.
The company says the jets will be much quieter, more fuel efficient and have lower emissions than current 747-400 models.