Second 747-8 joins flight test program

RC522 takes off on its March 14 first flight. (Boeing)

The second of three 747-8F flight test aircraft, RC522, successfully completed its first flight on the evening on March 14, taking off from Paine Field in Everett for a two-and-a-half-hour flight that landed at Boeing Field in Seattle.

RC522, with Captain Kirk Vining, copilot Rick Braun and systems operator Joel Conard on board, reached an altitude of 27,000ft and an airspeed of 240kt on the flight.

During flight test, which will mainly be conducted from Palmdale, California, RC522 will focus on community noise, environmental control systems and extended operation performance standards testing.

Earlier on March 14 the fourth 787 Dreamliner to fly, ZA003, also made its first flight.