Boeing 747-8 #1 out on the taxi way at Paine Field at 1:15pm today

Boeing 747-8 #1 out on the taxi way at Paine Field at 1:15pm today

Very shortly I am off to the Future of Flight to watch the Boeing 747-8 complete its taxi testing. This test is a great sign that the 747-8 is on her way to make her first flight on Monday. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner completed similar taxi testing just days before her first flight.

I will be updating this post with pictures and video as I collect them this morning. Also be sure to follow #7478TT on Twitter since there will be quite a few Twitter followers covering this event.

UPDATE 10:10am: Boeing 747-8 is still sitting still, no strobes, no engine start up yet.

UPDATE 10:45am: Strobes came on for a few minutes, then back off. Been entertained with two Boeing 777’s land, and now a Boeing 757 taking off. Updated my photos.

Boeing 747-8 engine smoke from the start up, partly blocked by a new Boeing 777

Boeing 747-8 engine smoke from the start up, partly blocked by a new Boeing 777

UPDATE 11:30am: Still nothing new. Strobes are still off, stairs are still at the doors. No word on what is causing the delay yet.

UPDATE 11:45am: Word is estimating engine start at around noon for the Boeing 747-8

UPDATE 12:30pm: Reports that the door is closed and stairs pulled away. Still no strobes or engine start yet.

UPDATE 1:00pm: The Boeing 747-8 has been pulled back and engines 3 & 4 have been started.

UPDATE 1:15pm: She is out on the taxi way now. Uploaded a bunch more pics of her coming out to the taxi way on my flickr (I haven’t edited or checked them, just putting them up for now)

UPDATE 2:00pm: Taxi tests so far going great. Added 23 more photos.

UPDATE 4:00pm: During the last high speed test, it appeared the plane pulled to the right. Possible brake lock-up? After that it taxied back to its parking spot. Working on getting video up.

CHECK OUT MY PICTURES ON FLICKR (will be updating through out the morning)

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & FOUNDER - SEATTLE, WA. David has written, consulted, and presented on multiple topics relating to airlines and travel since 2008. He has been quoted and written for a number of news organizations, including BBC, CNN, NBC News, Bloomberg, and others. He is passionate about sharing the complexities, the benefits, and the fun stuff of the airline business. Email me: david@airlinereporter.com

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VIDEO: New Boeing 747-8 Freighter in Action
4 Comments

Thanks for these. So glad this one’s about to roll!

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