Boeing's first 747-8F, the largest Western-built commercial freighter, has completed its maiden flight, kicking off a year-long flight test programme.

The aircraft, RC501, touched down at 16:18 PST at Paine Field, Boeing's Everett, Washington facility.

Powered by General Electric GEnx-2B engines, the aircraft flew for 3hr 39min under the control of 747 chief project pilot Mark Feuerstein and test engineer Tom Immrich.

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 © Jon Ostrower/Flightglobal

 

Boeing's maiden sortie with the 747-8F marks the beginning of a 1,600hr flight-test programme. The aircraft's test regime will also include 2,100hr of ground work.

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Source: FlightGlobal.com