How's this for the ultimate photo in aviation geekdom, the 787-8 and the 747-8I flying in formation together while in test flight during this past weekend? Boeing photographed the pair together and will release it as a poster for purchase.
Boeing's first 747-8I (RC001) made a brief move from the 747 final assembly line in building 40-22 to building 40-23 where it will be undergoing more ground testing before heading outside to be painted and gauntlet testing prior to first flight which is expected in sometime in February.
A second 747-8I of the line and destined for Lufthansa (RC021) is expected to come off the line next month and be flying sometime around April. The length of the flight test program will be much shorter owing to the fact that much of the testing has already been done on the 747-8F and does not need to be repeated on the 747-8I. It's anticipated that the two aircraft test flight fleet should finish all flight test and certification activities in about 6 months with first delivery to a VIP customer in November or December of this year.
Matt Cawby got some great pictures of the first 747-8I being rolled to 40-23:
Well let's start with something new. Below is a video of the first 747-8I, RC001, being rolled to the 747 final assembly slant position in Everett. This aircraft should be rolled out late this year or very early next year with first flight occurring during the 1st quarter of 2011. The 747-8I's flight test program will consist of two aircraft and should take only 4 months as the 747-8F is certifying much of the 747-8 aircraft. First delivery is still targeted for end of 2011 to a Kuwaiti sheikh and to Lufthansa in early 2012.
Video Courtesy of the Boeing Company
On to the 787...The flight test program has increased its pace in the last two weeks, with flying almost 230 hours. The GE powered 787 have been getting a real work out of late as well with both ZA005 and ZA006 flying longer duration missions. While these hours have increased the hours per flight they are not ETOPs flights. It is expected that ETOPs flights won't begin until January.
Boeing, I believe is pretty comfortable with the pace of flight testing at this point that they are going to send ZA006 on a marketing trip to Paris and Amsterdam in order to woo Air France/KLM for their potential 100 aircraft order. The company is expected to chose between the 787 and the A350 though the 787 offering the GEnx may have an advantage. Flightblogger has details about this story in his latest post:
Boeing Photo
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