747-8: Flight Report

Yeh, NCA. I hear JA12KZ is flying around. I believe it was one of the original test aircraft. NCA's 400's are numbered JA01KZ - JA10KZ. The -8s start at JA11KZ - JA25KZ. I believe our first two airplanes, JA11, and JA12, are some of the original test airplanes. So JA13 was our first delivery. I've heard I'll be picking up JA14 mid December. Although it looks as if JA12 is already painted in NCA livery. I can't find it now, but somewhere on Boeings site it showed the original airplanes and who they were going to. I'm curious as to whether you saw JA12 or JA14...

First picture I've found of JA12. Haven't seen a picture of JA14 yet.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I just found out I'll be picking up JA12KZ, pictured above. I believe the target date is Dec 20th. It's a 3 man crew, and I think I'll be the "extra" captain. I'd rather be the PIC out of Boeing field, but at least I'll be going. Maybe the next plane I'll get to be PIC. The next one is coming a few months later....

 

I'm not familiar with the area. I actually thought they were the same. Is Paine the airport just north of SEA?

 

Thanks for the info. Yes, it's Paine Field. I believe we'll do a quick acceptance flight to Moses Lake on the 19th and then take it to Tokyo (Narita) on the 20th. I'd love to do a low fly by....I'm not sure what FAA reg is broken doing it. Of course, I'd have to check with the company first, and I'm guessing the answer is going to be no. Also, as of now, I'm just the extra captain......

 

Update. I've just been told I'll be the PIC. I'm pretty excited. I asked my boss about a flyby, he said....as you like! I'm guessing something was lost in the translation. I'll need to clarify for sure.

 

Thanks guys. I'll post more details when I get them. I believe there's an "acceptance" flight to Moses Lake and back with a Boeing pilot in the right seat. But I'm not 100% positive about that. As far as the fly-by, I definitely won't do anything that would jeopardize my job or career. But if I can get the green light and alls legal, it sure would be fun. Our company doesn't allow video in the cockpit.....

 

Obviously flying empty, the aircraft is a lot lighter. But we'll still have 200,000 lbs of fuel. Even with that fuel load, the aircraft will be very light. On light weight takeoffs, we use reduced thrust to save the engines and save some fuel. So with "derated" takeoff power, the performance won't look much different than a normal takeoff. We will be able to climb to a higher initial altitude. Landing is where the real difference is. As we'll land with the same fuel load as a heavy weight flight (around 30,000lbs) and no cargo, the airplane will be very light. The 747-400 and 747-8 are easiest to land when they're heavy. At lighter weights they can float. Also when touching down at light weights, if you make a really smooth touchdown, the auto speedbrakes sorta pay you back for being so smooth. They deploy as the wheels touch (sensed by gear tilt), and when you're light, they pretty much plant you to the runway. It really ruins a really nice touchdown.


Gear Tilt: The main gear tilts to fit into the wheel wells. They don't tilt to help make a smooth landing as it appears they do.....

 

Yeh, truck tilt. In the cockpit it's called gear tilt. At least it was on the classic. The tilt is to get the gear to fit into the wells..right? I know the 767 tilts forward, while I think all the other Boeings tilt backward.

I'll take you up on the hot dog if the offer still stands. I won't know any details for awhile. All I know at this point is that I'll arrive in Seattle on the 18th, with the plan to leave for Narita on the 20th.