Aerospace and defense major Boeing (BA), Wednesday, said it has towed the first 747-8 Freighter out of the paint hangar in Everett, Washington. The freigter is indicated of having 16% lower operating cost, more payload capacity and much better range than its predecessor 747-400F. Currently, passenger version of 747-8 is the world largest airliner, which leaves behind double decked Airbus A340-660 in length by 3.6 feet or 1.1 meters.
Painted in white with blue accents, the 747-8 Freighter will begin preparing for the necessary tests leading up to first flight in early 2010. After flight test, it will be refurbished and delivered.
It was in November 14, 2005 that Boeing first announced the launch of 747-8 that of course shares the same engine and cockpit technology of that of 787. The move was seen as an effort to give direct competition to its rival's Airbus A380. Even though production of the 747-8 began in early August 2008 with much vigor, the program was delayed several times impacted by a slew of factors including the strike of employes as well as design overhauling.
According to Boeing, the new 747-8 Freighter will be longer than the 747-400F by 5.6 meters and have a maximum structural payload capability of 140 metric tonnes with a range of 8,130 kilometers.
Boeing also claims that the operating economy of the freighter will be significantly superior to the A380F. When empty, weight of the aircraft will be 80 tonnes, which also makes it lighter than A380F, ultimately providing a 24% increase in fuel efficiency.
Boeing also assures that the new freighter have much lower fuel consumption and lower carbon dioxide emission, while capable of carrying four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets.
Despite being troubled with delays, Cargolux, the launch customer, insisted on staying with the order. The delay, however, caused Boeing a charge of $1 billion. Cargolux placed 13 firm orders for the freighter, with options for 12 another, initially expected to take the first delivery in September 2008.
As of now, Boeing has secured around 105 orders for the 747-8 class of which 78 of them are for the new freighter. Cargolux, Nippon Cargo Airlines, AirBridgeCargo Airlines, Atlas Air, Cathay Pacific, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, Emirates SkyCargo, Guggenheim and Korean Air are some of the companies preparing to add 747-8 Freighter to their family.
The 747-8 Intercontinental is yet another member of the 747 family and is also the only jetliner in the 400 to 500 seat category, which is 10% lighter per seat compared to A380 and consumes only 11% less fuel per fuel than its peers.
BA closed Tuesday's regular trading at $52.53, up $0.05, on a volume of 3.95 million shares on the NYSE.
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