Aircraft

The first Boeing 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter (LCF) was due to leave Nagoya, Japan on 12 January bound for Boeing Field near Seattle with the initial shipset of parts for the first 787.

The aircraft is then expected to deliver the sections onwards to Global Aeronautica's newly established production site in Charleston, South Carolina. The load will be made up of the Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI)-made Section 11-45 centre wingbox and associated main landing gear wheel well, as well as the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Section 43 forward fuselage.

The initial loaded flights are part of the certification effort for the converted 747-400, and should be completed within the next few weeks, says Boeing, which adds that it was decided not to fly with winglets following vibration issues.

The second LCF is being readied for first flight and is expected to join its sister aircraft by the end of February. FHI is scheduled to ship four centre wingboxes by the end of March, with monthly production rising to three by the fourth quarter.