Boeing’s much anticipated revamped B747 freighter took a major step closer this week toward final assembly as mechanics at its Everett, Washington facility loaded the forward and aft fuselage sections to join with the wing and centre section of the freighter, RC501.
“It is exciting to see this airplane taking shape,†said Mo Yahyavi, vice president and general manager of the 747 Program. “The 747-8 is the largest commercial jet airplane we have assembled. This final body join provides us the first real look at the size of the 747-8 Freighter.â€Â
RC501 is expected to roll out of the factory by the end of September and to begin flight testing in the fourth quarter. Delivery to launch customer Cargolux is expected in the third quarter 2010.
The 747-8 Freighter is 76.3 metres long, which is 5.6 metres longer than the 747-400 Freighter. The stretch provides customers with 16 per cent more revenue cargo volume compared to its predecessor, which translates to four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets.
According to Boeing the new 747-8 will give cargo operators the lowest operating costs and best economics of any freighter airplane currently available, while providing enhanced environmental performance.
Once the fuselage join is complete, RC501 will be pulled forward to a new assembly position that is on a slant from the main floor. In that position, engine, landing gear, avionics, raked wing tips, the cargo load system and other installations will be completed.
There are two slant positions, allowing Boeing to assemble up to five 747-8s at a time, depending on demand.
Boeing has secured 78 orders from leading cargo operators including: Cargolux, Nippon Cargo Airlines, Air- BridgeCargo Airlines, Atlas Air, Cathay Pacific, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, Emirates SkyCargo, Guggenheim and Korean Air.