Boeing

The latest round of wind-tunnel testing for the new Boeing [NYSE: BA] 747-8 family of airplanes concluded recently, marking another milestone for the program launched in November by Cargolux Airlines and Nippon Cargo Airlines. The latest tests included high- and low-speed lines development and fine-tuning of the noise characteristics on the fully integrated airframe. High-speed testing (see photo) was done with the high-speed model of the 747-8F at the Boeing Transonic Wind Tunnel in Seattle. The model is a 3 percent scale model of the 747-8 and measures about 2.2 meters (87 inches) long with a wingspan of 1.8 meters (74 inches). The low-speed model of the 747-8 was used at the Low Speed Acoustic Facility (LSAF) at Qinetiq in Farnborough, England, and noise testing was also done in the LSAF at Qinetiq. More than 3,000 hours of wind-tunnel time have been logged to date in the development of the 747-8.