WASHINGTON (BNS): US aviation giant Boeing’s 747-8 Freighter completed its maiden test flight at Everett here on Monday.

The new cargo aircraft, belonging to Boeing’s 747 family, flew over the skies of Everett for over three hours, Boeing announced.

“It was a real privilege to be at the controls of this great airplane on its first flight, representing the thousands of folks who made today possible,” said Mark Feuerstein who piloted the aircraft.

“The airplane performed as expected and handled just like a 747-400,” he said.

During the flight, the aircraft’s basic handling qualities and engine performance were tested. The airplane reached a cruising altitude of 17,000 feet and a speed of about 426 km per hour, the company said.

The wide-bodied, high-capacity 747-8 commercial airplane is powered by four General Electric GEnx-2B engines. It has lengthened fuselage and redesigned wings to improve its efficiency.

The freighter offers a range of 8,275 km and has 16 percent more cargo volume than the 747-400. It has a total payload capacity of about 134000-kg.

Development of the aircraft began in 2005 and as of now, Boeing has received orders from nine countries to supply 108 747-8 Freighters.