Guys at Boeing are currently working hard to get the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental in the air for the first time. A lot of preparation is needed to be ready for its maiden flight. Even the smallest details like painting some fasteners on the underbelly matters.
In the coming days, the team will tackle three big milestones that pave the way for first flight:
Engine runs – start and run the four turbofan engines for the first time
Flight line gauntlet testing – connect the airplane to a simulator and “fly” the airplane through a normal flight profile
Low and high-speed taxi tests – accelerate the airplane to take-off speeds and then stop.
