Aircraft

Pictures: Boeing begins new round of 747-8 windtunnel testing in UK

By Andrew Doyle in Farnborough
 
Boeing has begun a fresh series of low-speed aerodynamic validation tests of a scale model of its 747-8 Freighter using Qinetiq’s pressurised, 5m (16.4ft)-diameter windtunnel in Farnborough, UK.


 The tests are being run to evaluate the aircraft’s performance in its take-off and landing configurations with flaps, slats and undercarriage deployed.
 
Our exclusive photographs (above and below) clearly show the double-slotted inboard and single-slotted outboard trailing edge devices adopted for the stretched, General Electric GEnx-powered 747-8, replacing the current 747’s triple-slotted configuration.
 
The 747-8F is 5.6m longer that the 747-400 and is scheduled to enter service in May 2009. The –8 Intercontinental passenger version will be only 3.6m longer than the –400 and go into service several months later.
 

© Andrew Doyle / flightglobal.com