by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 14, 2015 | Featured, History, Lufthansa, Photography, Plane Spotting |
After finally being painted in a beautiful tribute livery and released to the flight line, D-ABYT finally took to the skies today for her inaugural flight, also known in Boeing-speak as a B1 flight.
She took off early in the afternoon after a 3 hour weather delay at Paine Field and is due back later today.
Next up is a B2 flight which will be followed up by a C1 (Customer) flight and ultimately delivery to Lufthansa on or about March 13. She will no doubt be the guest of honor when Lufthansa celebrates its 60th Anniversary in mid-April.
So for now, enjoy the images of our favorite new Queen of the Skies! I’ll be back later after she lands.
For additional photos of her, please click here and here for my other related posts.
Preparing for taxi test
High speed taxi test completed successfully.
Moments after takeoff from Paine Field
by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 13, 2015 | Airlines, Featured, Fleet Update, Lufthansa, Photography |
Insomnia has its advantages….
At about 4am in Seattle, Boeing finally moved the Scoot 787 that was blocking a full-on view of Lufthansa’s D-ABYT dressed in a Retro-Livery.
So from my hotel room and a bit of luck, I was finally able to get a photo of the entire aircraft. Is it blurry? a little. Am I shooting through a hotel window at 4am? Yes. Am I over a mile away from her? Yes. Cut me a bit of slack! 🙂
If things work to schedule, she should see the skies this weekend…..
For now, here she is sitting at a ramp position at Paine Field:
D-ABYT under the lights at Paine Field
Related Post: D-ABYT in the paint hangar
by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 13, 2015 | Featured, Fleet Update, Lufthansa, Photography, Plane Spotting |
Over the next month, Lufthansa will take delivery of their final 3 747-8i aircraft. When all is said and told, 19 ‘Queens of the Sky’ will be in the fleet for what should be 15-20 years. It also marks the beginning of the end of new 4-engine aircraft for Lufthansa (there are also 2 A380s set to still join the fleet).
The first 747-8i joined the fleet in 2012 and had her inaugural flight on June 1, 2012. I was fortunate to be in Frankfurt for the festivities surrounding the first 747-8i to join the fleet and now look back and see how quickly time has ‘flown’ by. Pun probably intended.
With ‘YS’ ready for delivery, it leaves D-ABYT and D-ABYU as the final 2 747-8ii that will join the fleet. ‘YT’ is the much-anticipated ‘Retro Jet’ who will sport the livery that was on Lufthansa aircraft in the 1980s. ‘YU’ should have her paint work completed this weekend and I’ll be able to bring you a few images of her as the last 747-8i that is scheduled to join the fleet.
Here is a look at the Retro Livery. She’s parked over a mile away and unfortunately a SCOOT 787 is in the way……
For now, here are several shots I took at Paine Field as ‘YS’ was put through the motions during a ‘B2’ test flight. Typically new aircraft go through three test flights: B1, B2, C1. The ‘B’ flights are conducted by Boeing pilots who troubleshoot and certify the aircraft. The C flight is conducted by the ‘Customer’ and typical involves the Airline’s pilots and technicians. Once A ‘C’ flight is completed, it is ready for delivery to the airline.
By the way, if you missed yesterday’s posted regarding LH Cargo’s last 777F delivery, click here!
Enjoy!
Entering the taxiway towards runway 16R
Entering 16R
Takeoff Roll
Returning from B2 Flight
Final Approach
Over the numbers…..
Flare…..
Touchdown…..
