Second 747-8I makes first flight

The second Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental successfully made its first flight on April 26.

Aircraft RC021, registered N6067U, took off at 0926 hours local time from Paine Field in Everett, Washington, undertaking a three hour and 23 minute flight, during which it reached an altitude of 28,000ft and an airspeed of 275kt.

“This is another great milestone for our flight test program and shows the progress we are making toward delivery of our passenger airplane,” Boeing vice president and general manager, 747 program, Elizabeth Lund said.

Boeing will use RC021 primarily for testing interior systems, as well as conducting fuel consumption, function and reliability tests. It will eventually be delivered to Lufthansa.

The two aircraft 747-8I flight-test program will undertake approximately 600 hours of flight testing.