787 VT-ANC first flight

Not a 747, but the last backlog 787 with its original customer, this is a takeoff roll of line 28 VT-ANC's first flight, after about four years since rolling out of the factory. This is the frame that had major structural damage from an exploding hydraulic line while under rework in the EMC. Click "Read more" below to see the whole stream.

2013 Orders Update

Update: Fresh out of the paint hanger, line 1493 (RC641) GECAS's first frame is headed for Azerbaijan based Silk Way Airlines as 4K-SW881. This means GECAS's second probably is too. Silk Way was supposed to be in the market for four 747-8Fs, so this does make sense, as they have two more later frames already likely allocated.

Photo by Matt Cawby

-----------------------------------

It seems more and more likely that the two unidentified 747-8I orders are the last two frames for Air China (frames six and seven), so I don't think they'll end up being a big surprise when revealed.

As an addendum to the 2013 wrap up post, final orders for 2013 stand at 17 gross, 12 net (taking into account the five 747-8Fs cancelled by Dubai Aerospace Enterprise in August). Hopefully most cancellations have been shaken from the tree now, so going forward gross orders will equal net orders.

And this post is really just an excuse to post a sequence of 787 line 25 returning from her extremely belated first flight this morning. I remember this frame sitting for an eternity, taped up on the tower apron, but look at her now.

First Flight for HL7624

Line 1488 (RC549) HL7624 for Korean Air Cargo finally got up in the air today for a first flight. Meanwhile older frame line 1481 (RC548) HL7623, also for Korean Air Cargo sits unpainted and without engines at the tower apron for over six months now. Fair? No! Line 1488 should deliver before year's end.

Photo by Matt Cawby

Bonus pictures of 787 line 26 VT-ANB returning from her first flight after sitting over three years from rollout off the FAL. And as you guys may know by now, that just floats my boat.