Boeing 747-8 Makes Maiden Flight; seven on order in executive configuration

Boeing’s new 747-8F Freighter made its first flight on February 8 before more than 5,000 employees, customers, suppliers and community leaders at the company’s Everett, Wash. plant. The flight, with chief pilot Mark Feuerstein and Tom Imrich at the controls, spanned three hours and 21 minutes. Boeing claims orders for 108 copies of the 747-8, of which 76 are for the freighter version and seven are destined for independent completion centers to receive executive interiors. According to Boeing, one of the first 747-8s off the line is among those seven. With the flight-test program now under way, Boeing expects certification late this year.