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Barely-Used Private Boeing 747-8 Heads To The Desert

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by kylec, Apr 27, 2022.

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  1. kylec

    kylec F1 Rookie
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    #1 kylec, Apr 27, 2022
    Barely-Used Private Boeing 747-8 Heads To The Desert

    https://simpleflying.com/barely-used-private-boeing-747-8-marana/

    The world's least-flown Boeing 747-8s is headed to the Marana Desert, potentially to be scrapped and used for parts. The nearly 10-year-old plane was reportedly destined for the Saudia Arabian Royal Flight group but was never taken up. Now, it might be at the end of its life even before it began.

    Flight tracking data shows that N458BJ has made a long flight from Basel, Switzerland, to Pinal Airpark in Marana, Arizona. Per a recent tweet, the privately-owned Boeing 747-8I is headed to the desert for a 'part out,' or to be disassembled for its components, scrapping the plane altogether.

    While the pandemic has seen dozens of 747s retired and scrapped for parts, N458BJ is a different example. The plane was originally ordered by the Saudia Arabian Royal Flight group, which is in charge of ferrying the country's leadership and royals. Boeing delivered it in June 2012, with plans for the plane to be registered as HZ-HMS1. However, ten years later, this never came to pass.

    The plane has only flown a tiny 42 hours, a number most airlines meet in a few days, and even private 747s breeze through after a few months in the sky. Effectively, the plane has had little to no flying since its arrival in Basel and its departure on Saturday.
     
  2. F1tommy

    F1tommy F1 World Champ
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    #2 F1tommy, Apr 27, 2022
    I don't think it will get scrapped anytime soon. Those 747 8's are hot cargo aircraft right now and would be converted to cargo way before it would be parted out. That is clickbait...
     
    kylec, Jaguar36 and pilotoCS like this.
  3. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 donv, Apr 27, 2022
    42 hours probably represents production and delivery flights, the flight to Basel, and the flight back to Marana. I know there were a number almost new (or actually new) 747-8s parked down there-- are they all gone now?
     
  4. jcurry

    jcurry Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 jcurry, Apr 27, 2022
    There is not a conversion option for -8I 747's. Part out to support production -8F's is the only option.
     
  5. F1tommy

    F1tommy F1 World Champ
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    #5 F1tommy, Apr 27, 2022
    They have been talking about a cargo conversion due to the 8I's from Korean, Lufthansa ect. being pulled from service in a few years. Those aircraft won't be scrapped either.
     
  6. jcurry

    jcurry Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 jcurry, Apr 27, 2022
    Who is "they"? Won't be Boeing, as they will be/are more interested in sales of the upcoming 777-8F. A lot of parked 747-400 series freighters, production and conversions, were parked prior to the pandemic. Many were brought back into service during the pandemic but will be parked again (permanently) as other mid-size conversions and the aforementioned 777 come online. -8I's will be used to provide spares for the -8F fleet, principally the engines.
     
  7. F1tommy

    F1tommy F1 World Champ
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    #7 F1tommy, Apr 27, 2022
    There are several companies looking at it, none of them Boeing. There is also a good business converting 777-300's to cargo, but not by Boeing.
     
  8. F1tommy

    F1tommy F1 World Champ
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    #8 F1tommy, Apr 27, 2022
    But your right, this aircraft could get scrapped.
     
  9. ralfabco

    ralfabco Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 ralfabco, Apr 30, 2022
    Can the executive pick this up and modify it into a flying palace, for official-use-only.

    Save the taxpayer a dime or two.
     

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