747-8 Report cuts post rate to 0.5 per month.

As you can now see, a prescient move on my part; one post per 747-8 manufactured. Boeing's new rate begins in September, and comes with an $885,000,000 pre-tax write off this month. I'll be writing off $0.085 myself, rounded up.

Seriously though, this is really not a harbinger of future success for the 747 program, no matter how you look at it. Six planes a year is starting to look like an exit plan to me. I feel bad typing that, and it's especially frustrating with how cheap jet fuel is now.

100th 747-8 Delivered

Today a rare double 747-8 delivery took place for AirBridgeCargo. Line 1501 RC671 VQ-BFU and line 1502 RC672 VQ-BFE both flew off to Russia, marking the 99th and 100th delivered 747-8s.

These two frames were formerly earmarked for Asiana, so it's nice to see them finally fly into service well over a year after rolling out of the factory.

Can't wait for delivery #200.

Happy Second Birthday Line 1416!

(In service birthday, at least). My how time flies.

Cargolux Takes One and Maybe Five More

Yesterday line 1522 RC513 LX-VCM delivered to Cargolux, the last of their original order of 13 748Fs. However, they're already talking about taking five more. Line 1534 is scheduled for final assembly, so they better make up their minds quick. These five frames are earmarked for a north central China based operation.

Line 1522 has a very interesting livery. Can't say I'm fond of it.

Photo by moonm

PS - Sorry, I've sucked at updating the blog lately, but I still keep the chart pretty up-to-date. I got my private pilot certificate back in May and flying (albeit much smaller) planes myself has competed with my love of watching them from afar.

Korean Air Takes Their First 747-8I

Today, Boeing and Korean Air celebrated the delivery of their first 747-8I, line 1506 RC051 HL7630. This marks the first of ten Intercontinentals for Korean Air. Unfortunately for us, these ten will probably be the last ten 747-8Is to deliver in passenger configuration.