Boeing

Boeing aircraft machinist Connie Brokaw works on loading the forward section floor grid into an assembly tool, marking the start of major assembly for the first Longer-Range 747-400 (also called the 747-400ER). The first 747-400ER airplane will roll out of the Everett, Wash., factory in June 2002, and enter service later in the year in both passenger and freighter versions. The longer-range airplanes offer customers the choice of more payload or more range, and increase the 747-400's maximum takeoff weight from 875,000 pounds (396,890 kilograms) to 910,000 pounds (412,770 kilograms).