Boeing-747-8: the latest version of the legend
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Boeing-747-8: the latest version of the legend

At the end of 2022, the last Boeing 747-8 assembled at the plant was handed over to the customer, the Atlas Air airline. This is how the story of one of the most interesting modifications of the 747 family ended, which lasted since 2010, when the first flight of this model was made.


154 units of equipment were produced, of which the majority were cargo (107 units), 36 passenger and 11 aircraft VIP categories, including the presidential plane. The double-deck wide-body aircraft is the largest of all American-made commercial aircraft. It is also the longest airliner, surpassing even the Airbus A340-600 by about 1 m.

prehistory


The 747 family began its march around the world quite a long time ago – in 1969, the double-deck machine was first demonstrated to the public at the air show in Le Bourget. The huge aircraft with four engines caused a real sensation. Journalists immediately christened the plane, calling it by the name of the then popular elephant Jumbo – “Jumbo Jet”. Until Airbus appeared in 2005, the Boeing 747 was the largest passenger airliner in the history of aviation, with an interior area of ​​445 sq. m.

Boeing-747-8: the latest version of the legendThe 747-8I's predecessor is the Boeing-747-400. Photo: youtube.com

But let's get back to the latest version of the legend - Boeing-747-8. It was first demonstrated in 2005, took to the skies in 2010. The development of a modification with a large passenger capacity was conceived in the late 90s and early 2000s. The basis for the creation of the "eight" was the eXperimental Quiet Long Range (translated as "experimental long-range and quiet") - an experimental model 747-400XQLR. This version of the Boeing consumed less fuel, had improved soundproofing of the cabin, and received ridge-type winglets. This version of the aircraft did not enter the assembly line, but many technical solutions applied on it were used on the Boeing-747 Advanced, which later received the index 747-8.

To obtain the certificate of conformity, the passenger 747-8I made 1500 test flights. Photo: youtube.com

The official development of the passenger car began in 2004,lorry" - in a couple of years. But the last version was launched into production first - 747-8F Freighter (Everett, 2008). This is due to the fact that they were not really going to buy a passenger aircraft: there was only one customer in the person of the German Lufthansa, which needed 1 aircraft. The American corporation even considered the option of refusing to produce a liner for transporting people. Freighters were ordered by: Cargolux (13 units), Korean Air (5 units), Cargolux - 2 aircraft.

Presentation of 747-8. Photo: youtube.com

However, the passenger version project was not closed. The aircraft with the index 747-8I Intercontinental took to the air in March 2011.

Technical differences


In addition to the elongated fuselage, the new Boeing also turned out to be the heaviest aircraft, both among civil and military aircraft in the history of American aviation. In terms of design, the "eight" is distinguished by a wing that has become thinner and wider. The winglets are the same as those of the Boeing 777-200LR: they reduce flow resistance and fuel consumption. The wing mechanization is controlled by an electric control unit, which led to a decrease in the weight of the machine, and, again, fuel savings. For the same purpose, part of the airframe is made of carbon composite materials. However, they did not stop there, and the modernization of the model continued.

The special configuration of the rear part of the engine ensures less noise. Photo: youtube.com

In 2014, the company began implementing the Ozark project, which envisaged increasing the distance traveled and further reducing weight and fuel consumption. The result is this: starting in 2014, the vehicles began to have a weight less by 4,1 tons, compared to the first models. Fuel economy is 3,5%. The flight range soon reached 15 thousand 200 km.

Cargo variant


Before this aircraft appeared, the Boeing 747-400F was considered the leader in transportation. Therefore, it is logical that the 747-8 was compared with it. The new model was 5,6 meters longer, heavier, and its fuselage volume allowed it to accommodate more cargo. At the same time, the cost per ton-kilometer was 16% lower.

The first customer for the 747-8 freighter is Cargolux. Photo: youtube.com

The 8F modification has a carrying capacity of 140 tons and a range of 8 km. However, these figures have "variants". If the vehicle takes less cargo, it can fill the tanks "to the brim" and fly further. And vice versa.

Passenger version


The intercontinental version carries up to 467 people over 15 thousand km. Compared to the previous model 747-400, the increase will be 51 passengers. Initially, they wanted to make the 8I model shorter than the "truck", but later this idea was abandoned. However, the upper deck was still lengthened. If we make a general comparison with the 747-400, then, according to the manufacturer, the 8I has less noise (30%) and a lower cost per passenger kilometer (13%). And fuel savings amounted to 16%.

Germany's Lufthansa is the first to order a passenger 747-8. Photo: youtube.com

The interior changes are not particularly large. The curved staircase-ladder leading upstairs and the widened main entrance attract attention.

One of the interior layout options. Photo: youtube.com

The cabin is the same as the 787 model. But the lighting is more “advanced”, comfortable, with solid-state LEDs.

VIP liner


Previous versions of the presidential plane were based on the Boeing 747-200 (second name VC-25), developed back in the 1970s. At the end of 2014, the US Air Force leadership announced that a new “Board №1” – Air Force One – was being ordered in the amount of three units. The contract was concluded under Obama, but then Donald Trump found himself in the presidential chair.

Price disputes


The new head of state, having learned about the cost of the ordered "Board No. 1", intended to reduce it by any means. Initially, it was equal to 5,3 billion dollars. It came to threats to refuse the agreement. After meetings with Boeing management, a new figure appeared - 3,9 billion "greenbacks".

Presidential planes are always expensive. Photo: youtube.com

Of course: The White House solemnly announced to the whole world that taxpayers' money had been saved in the amount of 1,4 billion in American currency. But let's compare the main technical indicators with the predecessor (in brackets):

✅ maximum flight range – 14 thousand 300 km (was 12 thousand 500 km)
✅ take-off weight – up to 444 tons (374 t)
✅ average speed – 1050 km/h (1030 km/h)
✅ length and wingspan – 76 and 68 m (70 and 60 m)

The new aircraft flies further and faster, and can take on board more cargo. Actually, there is not much of it, if you do not count the special equipment. Compared to hundreds of passengers filling a regular airliner, the presidential plane carries several VIPs and accompanying persons. But there is an interesting difference from its predecessor: the lack of the ability to refuel the aircraft in the air. Probably, the "disabling" of this option was connected with the desire to reduce the cost of the model. In addition, in-flight refueling of the presidential airliner has never been used before.

Donald Trump on the presidential plane. Photo: youtube.com

Donald Trump also had a hand in the design of the plane: he didn’t like the traditional blue and white livery of Air Force 1. In 2019, the aircraft was photographed in a new livery, where patriotic red and white shades predominated.

What does Russia's Transaero have to do with it?


In an attempt to save at least a little, Boeing offered to buy the US Air Force a pair of Boeing 747-8I aircraft, originally intended for the Russian airline.

On board the US President's Boeing 747-200

Transaero declared itself bankrupt before receiving these airliners. As a result, the planes were purchased by the American military, which began to carry out modifications.

Why 747s Discontinued


The main reason was the coronavirus pandemic: it showed the unprofitability of huge wide-body airliners. Operation and maintenance of four-engine giants is much more expensive than their "brothers" with a pair of engines. Modern air carriers began to give preference to more compact machines.
What do you think about the Boeing 747-8?
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