The Boeing 747-8F completing runway taxi tests

The first 747-8 Freighter is slated to take off from Paine Field in Everett, Washington today at 10 Pacific Time. I don’t know the route of flight, but tail number H/B748/R is set to return to Paine four hours later at 2:12 P.M. The 747-8 is the 15th model of venerable 747 jumbojet and will initially come in a freighter configuration with an  InterContinental passenger liner (up to 467 seats) due in several years.

I will be on the Future of Flight Strato Deck taking pictures and video of the event. Check back on this blog for all the updates, pictures and video of this morning’s first flight.

NOTE: Some people have asked if they can use my pictures and video — yes please. I just ask you give credit and link back to my blog!

UPDATE 9:10am: It is mighty foggy right now. Just watched a Emirates Boeing 777 take off and it disappeared instantly into the clouds. Hopefully it burns off soon. Boeing employees are starting to gather along the runway. Posting a few foggy pictures to my Flickr.

UPDATE 10:30am: The first flight has been delayed due to weather.

UPDATE 10:50am: Been change to no definite flight time due to weather. We now just sit and wait. While waiting I uploaded a few more pictures to Flickr.

UPDATE 11:15am: Hearing the Boeing 747-8 could take off as early as noon. Also hearing 2pm. Stay tuned, I am not leaving!