Boeing's 747-8 Freighter receives flight certification

Boeing's 747-8 Freighter made its first flight from Paine Field, in Everett, Wash., in early 2010. (Credit: Daniel Terdiman/CNET) Just two days after it completed flight testing for the 787 Dreamliner, Boeing has received flight certification from the Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency for its new 747-8 Freighter aircraft. The announcement, which came today, means Boeing can deliver the first airplane to launch-customer Cargolux early next month for revenue flights. Also called the 747-8F, the aircraft is the latest generation of Boeing's iconic 747 family, which has been in production under various forms since 1969. Powered by General Electric GEnx-2B engines, the 747-8F is 16 percent longer than its most immediate predecessor, the 747-400, and offers 16 percent more cargo volume. And at 250 feet, 2 inches (76.3 meters), it is the world's longest commercial airliner. Related links