The gigantic "megaplane" was loaded with the General
Electric-made GE9X engine - which is expected to be used for commercial flights
from 2020.
The GE9X was loaded alongside smaller engines so that engineers
could test it out without risking the passengers or the crew on board the
plane.
It's a big success for General Electric after the US company was
forced to delay testing the prototype of the engine last year.
The engine features a huge fan stretching 340cm in diameter and
fits into a 4.4-metre nacelle. It was mounted under the 747's left wing and
flown for four hours.
This was the first of several planned tests for the engine which
will take place over the coming months.
Once testing is complete, the engine will eventually be used to
power Boeing's upcoming 777x family of airliners.
These are set to be the biggest twin-engine jetliners ever
built, with a wingspan of 71.8 metres and a total of 406 seats on board.
It is so big, Boeing has put fold-up hinges on the wingtips that
allow the plane to shorten its wingspan when it's rolling across airport
taxiways.
What that means for us travellers is that the economy seats will
be a cushy 46-cm wide.
"The GE9X and Victorville teams have spent months preparing
for flight testing of the engine, and their efforts paid off today with a
picture-perfect first flight," said Ted Ingling, general manager of the
GE9X program at GE Aviation.
"Today's flight starts the beginning of the GE9X flight
test campaign that will last for several months, allowing us to accumulate data
on how the engine performs at altitude and during various phases of
flight."
The top-range 777-9 is going on sale for a cool £279 million
when complete while the slightly smaller 777-8 jetliners can be had for £259
million each.
"The
cabin interior of the 777X is inspired by the comforts and conveniences of the
787 Dreamliner, with larger windows, a wider cabin, new lighting and enhanced
architecture — all of which will be custom-tailored for a unique 777X
experience," said Boeing
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