Boeing's big freighter gets airborne

BOEING’S 747-8 freighter took to the air for the first time last Monday (8 February) just one day short of the 40^th anniversary of the 747-100’s maiden flight.  AERBT readers were able to watch on a worldwide webcast.  Amongst the guests was Joe Sutter, Chief Engineer of the original 747 project.  "It's amazing to me that this programme has lasted all these years.  The basic design was right then and it's still right now."  Using much Boeing 787 Dreamliner technology (including similar engines) Boeing launched the 747-8 in November 2005 and to date has secured 108 orders, mainly for the cargo aircraft, with Lufthansa and Korean Air taking the passenger version. www.boeing.com/commercial

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