N6067E Boeing 747-8JK Intercontinental passenger jet, sporting its distinctive “Sunrise” livery, arrived June 19, 2011 at the Paris Air Show just three months after its first flight.
The 747-8 is a development of the Boeing 747, which takes advantage of improvements in technology and aerodynamics. The two variants of the 747-8 were launched in 2005.
Developing nation: USA
Manufacturer/designer: Boeing Aircraft Company
Production lines: Everett Facility, Paine Field, WA
First flight: March 20, 2011, N6067E
Certification: December 14, 2011
First delivery: Early 2012
The 747-8 Intercontinental passenger airplane is stretched 3.6 m (11.7 ft) compared to the 747-400 to accommodate 34 additional seats in a typical three-class configuration. The only jetliner in the 400- to 500-seat category, it will have a range of 14,815 km (8,000 nmi). The 747-8’s main cabin uses an interior similar to that of the 787.
The Intercontinental will be quieter, produce fewer emissions, and achieve better fuel economy than any competing jetliner. It will offer 21 percent more lower-hold revenue cargo volume than the 747-400 and cost about 8 percent less per seat mile to operate. Compared to the A380, it will offer 22 percent lower trip costs.
Raked wingtips, similar to the ones used on the 777-200LR, 777-300ER, and 787 aircraft, are used on the new 747 variant instead of winglets used on the 747-400.
Major assembly of the 747-8I began on May 8, 2010. The final body join occurred on October 15, 2010, slightly ahead of the projected schedule. Assembly of first 747-8I was completed in February 2011, before being unveiled at a rollout ceremony in Everett, Washington on February 13, 2011.
The 747-8I passenger variant took to the skies over Everett, Washington for the first time on March 20, 2011. The second 747-8I flew on April 26, 2011. Two 747-8I aircraft are to take part in the 747-8I flight test program.
The FAA presented Boeing an Amended Type Certificate (ATC) and the amended Production Certificate for Boeing’s newest passenger airplane, the 747-8 Intercontinental Wednesday 15 December 2011. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is expected to issue its ATC for the airplane a day later. Boeing received its FAA and EASA certificates for the 747-8 Freighter in August. Certification clears the way for delivery of the new airplane early 2012.
Lufthansa became the first airline to order the 747-8 Intercontinental on December 6, 2006. In December 2009, Korean Air announced the order of five 747-8Is.
General characteristics
- Cockpit crew: 2
- Seating capacity: 467 (3-class)
- Length: 250 ft 2 in (76.25 m)
- Wingspan: 224 ft 7 in (68.45 m)
- Height: 63 ft 6 in (19.35 m)
- Cabin width: 20.1 ft (6.1 m)
- Wing area:
- Empty weight: 470,100 lb (213,200 kg)
- Max payload: 171,900 lb (78,000 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 975,000 lb (442,000 kg)
- Max landing weight: 682,000 lb (309,000 kg)
- Maximum fuel capacity: 64,055 US gallons (242,470 l)
- Powerplant: 4x General Electric GEnx-2B67, 66,500 lbf (296 kN)
Performance
- Cruise speed: Mach 0.855 (570 mph, 495 kn, 917 km/h)
- Maximum speed: Mach 0.92 (614 mph, 533 kn, 988 km/h)
- Range: (at MTOW) 8,000 nmi (15,000 km) with 467 passengers and baggage
- Service ceiling: 43,000 ft (13,000 m)
All pictures courtesy of Zijde Aviation Photo and Publishing, Rob Vogelaar en Marcel van Leeuwen
