Boeing 777 Freighter Takes Shape

April 4th, 2008

As far back as six months ago, critics, sceptics and naysayers were all too quick to point out that the 787 Dreamliner woes would adversely affect the two other major new widebody freighters being developed at Everett - namely the 777 Freighter and 747-8 Freighter.

In a turn of fortune for Boeing, the 777F which underwent major assembly back in late January appears thus far to be running on time, budget and schedule in time for service entry with launch customer Air France at the end of the year.

At the time of writing the 777F team loaded in and attached the main deck cargo door. On the 777F, this is on the rear port side of the airplane.

Below are two exclusive images supplied kindly by Boeing. (Images copyright of Boeing)

As is evident from the pictures, work is progressing well on the first 777F.

The first photo depicts the aft and forward sections in the Everett factory, sitting on the crawlers - this is in the systems installation area.

The second photo shows the installation of the cargo door - also in systems installation. The door was lifted into place from an overhead crane into position.

• The dimensions of the main deck cargo door of the 777F is over 10 feet high and 12 feet wide. This large sized door was designed from the outset to take full advantage of the 777F’s internal capacity and to facilitate the transfer of cargo between the 777F and the 747F fleet with greater ease at over 200 airports around the world.

• As noted above, the main cargo door is located on the port side of the airplane on the aft section of the fuselage just behind the wing. Latecoere based in Toulouse, France supplies the rear cargo doors for the 777F.

Later next week the airplane enters final assembly. The first 777F is expected to make its way out of the factory later this month in preparation for ground tests and first flight.

Some of the customers for the 777F so far are as follows: Air France, China Southern Airlines, Deucalion Capital VII, Emirates, FedEx, GECAS, Guggenheim Aviation Partners, Korean Air, LAN Airlines, Oak Hill U.S.A. and Qatar Airways.

Entry Filed under: Air Transport, Air Travel, Airlines, Airplane, Airplane Order, Airplanes, Boeing, Boeing 747-8, Boeing 747-8F, Boeing 747-8I, Boeing 777, Boeing 777F, Boeing 787, Dreamliner