B747-8 Developments
 

There have been rumours going around recently about the possibility of Boeing cancelling the B747-8 program due to the implosion of the Air Cargo industry and the failure to sell the pax version to any airline apart from Lufthansa. GE obviously is ignoring these rumours and is continuing development of the engine for this series of aircraft.

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GEnx Engine For New Boeing 747-8 Begins Flight-Testing on Historic 747

(March 24, 2009) -- The new GEnx-2B jet engine for Boeing's new 747-8 aircraft has begun flight-testing on GE Aviation's 747 flying test-bed.

During the five-hour first flight Monday (March 23), a single GEnx-2B engine demonstrated aircraft systems and instrumentation functionality, climbing close to 40,000 feet and establishing engine performance baseline. About 40 flights with the engine are planned for this spring and summer.

The GEnx-2B, slated for certification this year, is the engine for the new Boeing 747-8. It is being flight-tested on GE's flying test laboratory, a modernized 747-100. It was the 16th aircraft off the original Boeing 747 production line and had entered revenue service for Pan Am in 1972.

"GE is thrilled to power Boeing's new 747-8, which will bring a new level of economics to commercial travel," said Tom Brisken, general manager of the GEnx program. "It's a busy year for the GEnx-2B with an aggressive flight-test program on GE's 747 before it ultimately powers the new Boeing jet."

"We are excited to see the GEnx-2B successfully complete its first flight," said Mo Yahyavi, vice president and general manager for the 747 Program. "This is yet another step toward bringing the 747-8 to market and providing our customers with an airplane that delivers the capabilities needed to be successful in today's competitive environment."

Source : GE Aviation

Its coming....... fuse sections are in the factory and moving forward. 747 line workers are being loaned out to 777 and flight line and maybe some 767. They will progressively be back over the next month or so as the first one comes through.

J:ok:

I wonder what a second hand A380 would be worth as a trade in?:}

Do you mean A180??

Don't you mean A190?
Because it turned out to only be 1/2 as good as promised!:ok:

The one and the same. Pushes back, turns and comes straight back.:E

GB,

This is nothing more than GE spin, they have had a lot of problems with that engine development, it is over 12 months behind schedule. They have basically had to change the fan and LPC, it is not delivering the required fuel burns.

The engine should have been delivered almost a year ago, and the first 747-8 was to be pulled out of the Boeing factory door at the end last year. Boeing replaced their 747-8 management just like they did on the 787 when delays started racking up.

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FYI Boeing has offered Lufthansa the 777-300ER in lieu of the 747-8I.