Four GEnx-2B engines powered the maiden flight for Boeing’s new 747-8 Freighter aircraft, which flew at Paine Field in Everett, Washington.
“The first flight of the GEnx-powered Boeing 747-8 aircraft is the culmination of about five years of engine design, development and testing at GE,” said Tom Brisken, general manager of the GEnx program. “GE is excited to play an important part in the 747-8 program, and we look forward to completing the flight test program and delivering to our first customer, Cargolux, later this year.”
The first flight of the Boeing 747-8 aircraft lasted almost four hours and is part of an extensive flight testing program that will demonstrate the capabilities of the aircraft. The GEnx-2B engine is the first GEnx engine to fly on a new aircraft for Boeing. Later this year, the GEnx-1B engine is expected to take its first flight powering the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
