New version of Boeing 747 jumbo jet emerges from factory

At 5 p.m. today in Everett, Boeing rolled out the newest, largest version of its iconic jumbo jet, the first 747-8. Tugs moved the 250-foot-long cargo plane across the 526 freeway overpass and into the paint hangar on the edge of Paine Field.

The 747-8 program, which has an order book of just 105 jets, ran into serious delays, the latest of which last month added a $1 billion charge to third-quarter earnings.

After painting, the jet will undergo a weeks-long series of tests on the ground. It is expected to fly shortly after the New Year, about one year late.

Boeing said the first delivery to Luxembourg-based Cargolux remains set for the fourth quarter of 2010.

Program chief Mohammad "Mo" Yahyavi said today that inside the factory 10 days ago, the first 747-8 completed a series of tests that simulated flight. Once out on the Paine Field flight line, the plane will repeat those functional system tests with the engines running.

Then the pilots will do a series of taxi tests leading up to first flight.

With the 787 Dreamliner now expected to fly before Christmas, Boeing is looking to the 747-8 first flight for an early New Year bonus.