It’s the New Queen of the skies, it flies elegantly with its beautifully swept wings, much quieter than before, faster, more load, and much less fuel thirsty. It’s the Boeing 747-8. Modified from the original 747 frame, it is longer than its predecessor the 747-400 by 6.4meters and has a maximum takeoff weight of 987,000lb, cruising speed of Mach 0.855, this machine is ready to haul anything.
Officially announced in 2005, the 747-8 is the fourth-generation Boeing 747 version, with lengthened fuselage, redesigned wings, and improved efficiency. The 747-8 is the largest 747 version, the largest commercial aircraft built in the United States, and the longest passenger aircraft in the world.
It is offered in two main variants: the 747-8 Intercontinental (747-8I) for passengers and the 747-8 Freighter (747-8F) for cargo. The first 747-8F performed the model's maiden flight on February 8, 2010 with the 747-8 Intercontinental following on March 20, 2011. The intercontinental has a range of 8000nm, while the freighter has a range of 4390nm. Both Variants have orders of up-to 111 combined with the majority being the freighter. Lufthansa is the main customer for the intercontinental version and other airlines are weighing up options against the A380.
The 747-8, as the current new development of Boeing's largest airliner, is notably in direct competition on long-haul routes with the Airbus A380, a full-length double decker aircraft now in service. For airlines seeking very large passenger airliners, the two have been pitched as competitors on various occasions. Boeing claims that the 747-8 is more than 10 percent lighter per seat and is to consume 11 percent less fuel per passenger than the A380, translating into a trip-cost reduction of 21 percent and a seat-mile cost reduction of over 6 percent.
The planes are operated by the efficient GEnx-2B67 turbofans. The cockpit design remains the same for easy pilot training, however it features new advances like the electronic flight bag as found on the Boeing 777. It also has a moving map that shows the exact aircraft position on the ground. It is equipped with the latest navigation tools and requires only two personnel at the helm. Its wing was redesigned to improve the aerodynamics of the plane and also more carbon composites were used to make it lighter and stronger. All this, Boeing promises a better fuel efficiency when compared to its main competitor, the A380 even though Airbus declines those claims. Even though this aircraft might seem similar to the older 747-400s, it is 60% new and therefore very different in terms of capability and technology.
The all new Boeing interior is featured in this plane, with the LED lighting that changes depending on the time to allow passengers to relax into the flight with a mood similar to the outside. New entertainment systems, cleaner air, quieter environment all promise a better flight experience aboard the new queen of the skies.
The Flight simulator lovers will have a chance to experience this lovely plane using the PMDG 747-8i add-on that is professionally designed to meet the requirements of experienced simmers. Check it out at http://www.precisionmanuals.com/pages/product/748.html and welcome aboard.
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