Article Posted on : - Feb 09, 2010

The 747-8 Frieghter took to the skies in Everett on Monday. A Boeing Photo

WASHINGTON (BNS): US aviation giant Boeing�s 747-8 Freighter completed its maiden test flight at Everett here on Monday.

The new cargo aircraft, belonging to Boeing�s 747 family, flew over the skies of Everett for over three hours, Boeing announced.

�It was a real privilege to be at the controls of this great airplane on its first flight, representing the thousands of folks who made today possible,� said Mark Feuerstein who piloted the aircraft.

�The airplane performed as expected and handled just like a 747-400,� he said.

During the flight, the aircraft�s basic handling qualities and engine performance were tested. The airplane reached a cruising altitude of 17,000 feet and a speed of about 426 km per hour, the company said.

The wide-bodied, high-capacity 747-8 commercial airplane is powered by four General Electric GEnx-2B engines. It has lengthened fuselage and redesigned wings to improve its efficiency.

The freighter offers a range of 8,275 km and has 16 percent more cargo volume than the 747-400. It has a total payload capacity of about 134000-kg.

Development of the aircraft began in 2005 and as of now, Boeing has received orders from nine countries to supply 108 747-8 Freighters.