Boeing 747-8F Beta 2.0 for X-Plane 9.41
(RC501: Serial Number 35808, Model 747-8R7)
January 31, 2010 -- 1st beta: modified release
March 28, 2010  -- 2nd beta: modified release

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This is the second beta version of this aircraft, which is largely based on the beta version of the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental that was first released on October 16, 2006. That aircraft was created by YYZatcboy, Henrickson & Vivar ([email protected], [email protected] & [email protected]). It was modified by Stekeller (stekeller AT yahoo DOT com) to update the aircraft to the latest standard. The goal of this project is to allow members of the X-Plane community to flight test and have inputs into modifications to this aircraft while the 3 real Boeing 747-8F prototypes are going through its certification and flight testing process.

The project had languished because nobody had picked it up and do it justice. This is my first attempt at doing anything in Plane-Maker, and I intend to continue working to "perfect" this aircraft; but obviously, I have limited Plane-Maker skills and it has been slow going. However, I am learning a lot, and appreciate any and all feedback from the X-Plane community through the X-Plane.org forum.

The -8F model is being completed first because Boeing decided to assemble and fly the freighter version of the aircraft before the passenger model (the first time they have done so) due to larger and earlier orders of that model. The first aircraft has been painted in the new Boeing "Light" Livery and I have made a basic Dreamliner livery available based on the original  Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental created by YYZatcboy, Henrickson & Vivar.

Modifications of the original aircraft for the beta 2.0 include:
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* New livery based on an official Boeing paint scheme for the 747-8F. 
* Fixed aircraft callsign to ТBOEING 501У.
* Pressurization system now automatic.
* Increased size of ТBaroУ and ТDHУ buttons for better readability.
* Other minor cosmetic changes to panel.
* Added inboard vanes to engines.
* Gear hub textures from scanned photos.
* Fixed cockpit windows based on default X-Plane 747-400.

Modifications of the original aircraft for the beta 1.0 include:
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* Stretched fuselage to final Boeing configuration length
* Imported and modified fuselage and nosecone from default X-Plane 747-400 (by Mohammad Gazzawi & Sergio Santagada ([email protected] & [email protected])
* Smaller upper deck (hump) for the freighter version
* Addition of a 3-D APU object in the tail cone
* Changes in some airfoils, empennage, and wing and flap configuration
* Modifications to wing surfaces to match the real aircraft (including roll spoilers and drooping inboard ailerons)
* Detailed paint in the Boeing so-called "light" livery for the first aircraft to fly (created by P. Wcisel: www.paulthedesigner.com)
* "Dreamliner" livery modified by Stekeller
* Various modifications to the aircraft systems (e.g. the 747-8 has a RAT and the engines are started pneumatically with APU bleed air)
* Some performance tweaks as a result of flight testing to hypothetically match performance to that of the real aircraft
* Addition (with slight modifications) of the panel originally created by Mihaly Alberti (ksgy <at> vipmail <dot> hu) for his Cargolux 747-400F "LX-ICV" for X-Plane 8.32 found at http://web.axelero.hu/stonyo1/xplane/

These were the Intercontinental team's original credits:

* Original 3D Model Designer: XPFW (http://www.xplanefreeware.net)
* Improved 3D Model Designers: YYZatcboy, Henrickson
* 3-view: Boeing Company (http://www.boeing.com)
* Livery Artist: Henrickson
* Custom Panel Artist: Vivar
* Flight Model Engineers: YYZatcboy, Henrickson
* Sound Editing: Henrickson

My credits:
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* Smaller upper deck "hump" based on photos, Boeing drawings and the excellent B747-100 Beta 3.5 for X-Plane by Reuben Horsley ([email protected]), who also used the default X-Plane 747-400 as a starting point
* 3-view: Boeing Company (http://www.boeing.com/commercial/airports/747.htm)
* Lots of plane design ideas from examination of the XPFW team's excellent 747-400 and XPJets' 777 aircraft
* Lots of help from the series of excellent video PlaneMaker tutorials created and posted by Dan Klaue (http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?showforum=72)
* Mihaly Alberti for his 747-400F panel, used with his very kind permission
* New livery based on an official Boeing paint scheme found at: http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/ace79/images/38247/new-747-8-freighter-flight-test-paint-scheme.jpg
* Lots of help and advice from various X-Plane.org contributors.
* P. Wcisel for all his help with the paint schemes and Photoshop.

Description:
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The Boeing 747-8 is the latest variant of the Boeing 747, officially announced on November 14, 2005 to compete with the Airbus A380. Prior to the formal 2005 announcement, it was known publicly as the 747 Advanced.

The 747-8 uses similar engine and cockpit technology to that of the 787. Boeing named the new airliner the "747-8" because of the technology it will share with that aircraft. Before the official launch of the 747-8, Boeing had plans to develop other variants of existing 747 models under the names 
 747X (Experimental) and 747-400XQLR (Experimental Quiet Long-Range). These designations were dropped in favor of a "747 Advanced" program, which evolved into the 747-8.

Boeing claims that the new design will be quieter, more economical and more environmentally friendly than previous versions of the 747. As a derivative of the already common 747-400, the 747-8 has the economic benefit of similar training and interchangeable parts.

The passenger version (dubbed 747-8 Intercontinental) will be capable of carrying up to 467 passengers in a 3-class configuration over 8000 nautical miles (14,816 km) at 0.86 Mach.

(source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_747-8)

This is XPFW's 747-400 for X-Plane 6.7, converted to v.8 by YYZatcboy and painted by Henrickson. YYZatcboy made the fuselage stretch, and Henrickson rebuilt the wings and stabilizers from scratch, using a special technique for the nav/strobe lights. The Beta was in Boeing "Dreamliner" colors (with some repaints available for Lufthansa colors), and was created for X-Plane 8.40. Note that the Beta 747-8I aircraft was designed according to the data available before Boeing's announcement to stretch the fuselage of the passenger version even further to match the length of the freighter version. 

Contents:
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* B748F.jpg -- Preview of beta
* 747-8F Beta Readme.txt -- The file you are reading right now
* Boeing 747.acf -- Main aircraft file
* livery folder with Boeing 747_paint*.png files -- Texture (paint) files
* airfoils\*.afl (XXX files) -- Airfoil files
* sounds\*.wav (32 files) -- Custom sounds
* weapons\*.wpn & *.png (20 files) -- Flap tracks, etc.
* cockpit -- panel files
* Boeing 747.fmc -- Config. file for Javier Cortes' excellent UFMC Version: 2.0 (payware) modified slightly, but primarily using 747-400 perf. data. Requires flight testing for modification and validation.
* plane.txt -- Goodway config file modified slightly but primarily using 747-400 data. Requires flight testing for modification and validation.
* 7478F Checklist.pdf -- My checklist for this aircraft

Installation:
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1. Unzip the Boeing 747-8F files to your usual or X-Plane "Downloads" folder.
2. Copy the "B747-8F Boeing" folder into "Aircraft\Heavy Metal\Boeing\", or whichever folder you are using for Boeing airliners.
3. Launch X-Plane.

Bugs and other stuff:
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1. Landing gear is a bit "bouncy", but within acceptable limits.
2. Service ceiling might be a bit too high (FL 500+ achieved during test flights on my computer).
3. Aircraft maintains a flat angle of attack in the cruise (not realistic, should be 1-2 degrees nose up)
4. Wing tip lights and strobes not aligned properly (could not replicate original designer's "special techniques"
5. Flap track "canoes" need to be modified to resemble those on the real aircraft.
6. Aircraft banks to the right slightly for some reason - requires further flight testing.

Flying Tips:

- Ground taxi can be a challenge because the aircraft is so much longer. Try using an external view to estimate when to turn until you get used to how it handles.
- Consider using the options in X-Plane's "Data Input & Output" menu to show airspeed and other data on the top left corner of the screen. The panel has a high glare shield to accommodate all the displays, which makes accurate visual flying a challenge. The real 747-8 is not equipped with a HUD, unlike the 787, and neither is this version. The designers had included a HUD in the original 747-8I by YYZatcboy, Henrickson & Vivar probably because Boeing had not finalized the cockpit of the 747-8 at that time.
- The aircraft should be flown like the "regular" 747-400 with similar numbers. This was a design goal of the Boeing team, and until we know more from flight testing, we cannot make that more realistic at this time.

Specs and Performance:
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Length: 250 ft 2 in
Wingspan: 224 ft 7 in
Height: 63 ft 6 in
Cabin Width: 20.1 ft
Powerplants: 4 General-Electric GEnx-2B67 turbofans, 66,500 lbs. each
Crew: 2 (1 pilot, 1 co-pilot)
Capacity: 30,312 cu ft

Max Fuel: 60,755 gal (-F)
Max Payload: 295,200 lb (-F)
Zero Fuel Weight: 717,000 lb (-F)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 975,000 lb
Cruise Speed: Mach 0.85 (-F)
Max Speed: Mach 0.92 (?)
Service Ceiling: FL 430 (?)
Max Operational Range with Full Load: 4,390 nm (-F)

Copyright 2006-2009 YYZatcboy, Henrickson, Vivar, Mohammad Gazzawi, Sergio Santagada, Stekeller, P. Wcisel

Important! Please note that with republishing the modified aircraft the original XPFW End-User License Agreement (EULA) stays effective.