Boeing 747-8 Completes Taxi Trials; Aircraft ready for first flight

Boeing Photo

In a Press Release this evening, Boeing said that the 747-8F is has completed taxi trials and is ready for first flight. First flight is schedule to occur on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010 at 10 AM PST. Here is the text of Boeing's Press Release:

News Release Issued: February 6, 2010 8:46 PM EST

Boeing Completes 747-8 Freighter Taxi Tests

EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) completed taxi tests on the first 747-8 Freighter today. With Chief Pilot Mark Feuerstein at the controls, the airplane reached a top seed of approximately 90 knots (103.5 mph, 166.6 kph).

"The airplane performed well," said Mo Yahyavi, 747 program vice president and general manager, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Based on early indications, the airplane is ready to fly."

This was the last functional test planned before first flight. The first flight of the 747-8 Freighter is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 8.

The taxi test were widely filmed today and here are a few videos courtesy of Liz Matzelle who videotaped the taxi tests in HD.

747-8 Taxi into Position from Liz Matzelle on Vimeo.

747-8 Run 1 Part 1 from Liz Matzelle on Vimeo.

747-8 Run 1 Part 2 from Liz Matzelle on Vimeo.

747-8 Run 2 from Liz Matzelle on Vimeo.

747-8 Run 3 Part 1 from Liz Matzelle on Vimeo.

747-8 Run 3 Part 2 & Taxi to Parking from Liz Matzelle on Vimeo.