18/09/2018
【B-HNL退役之旅 Final Flight of B-HNL】
全球首架777客機(B-HNL / ex N7771)經昨夜短暫留港後,今早啟程前住阿里桑那州圖森市,與逾 350 架其他具歷史價值的飛機並列在皮馬航空博物館永久展出,結束24年傳奇生涯。
The first Boeing 777 took off from Hong Kong to Tucson this morning as she heads into final retirement at Pima Air & Space Museum in Arizona, ending her 24 years of legendary career.
B-HNL於1994年6月12日首飛,其後一直於波音作開發測試用途。2000年因國泰急需777客機而被購入國泰機隊,投入18年客機服務,共運作 20,519 個航班,錄得 49,687 飛行時數。2018年6月由國泰退役,並決定捐贈予美國皮馬航空航天博物館(Pima Air & Space Museum)。及後到廈門進行改裝,準備今日最後一次飛行。
B-HNL had her maiden flight on 12/6/1994. Since then she was used for development by Boeing for several years. On 2000, she was bought and joined Cathay Pacific fleet as Cathay Pacific was in dire need of new 777 airliner. In 18 years of commercial airline service, she was clocked for 49687 flight hours and had serviced 20518 commercial flight. After being retired by Cathay Pacific in June 2018, she was decided to be donated to Pima Air & Space Museum for permanent display. For the last months it was converted and prepared in Xiamen for her final airborne.
波音 777 是目前全球最大的雙引擎廣體客機,採用圓形機身設計,寬度更大,三級艙布置的載客量由 283 至 368 人,航程由 5,235 海里至 9,450 海里。波音於1990年展開Working Together開發計劃,由各大航空公司共同協作開發,而且亦是第一架完全採電腦輔助設計的商用飛機,B-HNL作為第一架下生產線的777客機,為開發工作立下汗馬功勞。
Boeing 777 is the world's largest twin engine wide body airliner. Carrying 283 - 368 passengers with a range of 5240 to 8555 nautical miles. The development process was heavily contributed by major airlines, being known within Boeing as the "Working Together" group. B-HNL as the Line number one 777, had significant contribution for early development work.