BOEING 747-8 FREIGHTER RECEIVES EXPANDED TYPE INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Bernama) -- Boeing received expanded type inspection authorization (TIA) from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the 747-8 Freighter on June 11.

This authorization cleared the way for FAA personnel to participate in test
flights and collect required data, the aircraft maker said in a statement
released here Tuesday.

"This is a major step in our effort to test and certify the 747-8 Freighter
for our customers," said Mo Yahyavi, vice president and general manager for the
747 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

"The airplane is performing well in the tests. We have demonstrated the
airplane’s readiness to move onto the next stage in the flight-test program
through tests at a variety of speeds, altitudes and configurations," he added.

With the issuance of TIA, the 747 programme is beginning expanded
certification testing whereby the extremes of the flight envelope are explored.

Testing conditions include operations in hot and cold weather as well as
takeoffs and landings at high-altitude airports. In addition, over-speed
conditions, hard landings and engine-out conditions are tested.

"The airplane is handling beautifully," said Mark Feuerstein, the 747
program chief pilot, Boeing Test and Evaluation.

"It is a joy to fly," he added.

The entire flight-test programme calls for a total of about 3,700 hours of
ground and air testing.

The statement said the first 747-8 Freighter delivery was planned for the
fourth quarter of this year.

-- BERNAMA