Boeing 747-8 Freighter flies with Seattle Seahawks livery as NFL team prepares for Super Bowl XLVIII
EVERETT, Wash., 30 Jan. 2014. A Boeing (NYSE:BA) 747-8 Freighter painted in the livery of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks, commemorating the team's National Football Conference Championship and upcoming appearance in Super Bowl XLVIII, took flight today.
"The Seahawks have been an inspiration to our entire community throughout this incredible season," says Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. "We're honored that we could join together two Northwest icons, the Seahawks and the 747, for this special salute from the entire Boeing team."
Boeing is a sponsor of the Seattle Seahawks and has partnered with the team for more than a decade on programs in the Puget Sound area.
This 747-8 is owned by Boeing and being used for flight testing. The special livery features the distinctive Seahawks logo and a "12" on the tail to salute the team's fans, known as 12th Man.
"The 747 team is proud that one of our airplanes could be used as a tribute to the Seahawks' success this season and a rallying cry for the team as they prepare for the Super Bowl," explains Eric Lindblad, vice president and general manager, 747 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The partnerships we have with the Seahawks and others are making a positive difference in the communities where Boeing employees live and work. We join with all Seahawks fans in wishing the team success on Sunday."
Boeing 747-8 Seahawks Livery Fun Facts
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson's longest pass this season, 80 yards (240 ft.), was almost the same length as a 747-8 fuselage (243.5 ft.)
Russell Wilson threw for 3,357 yards (10,071 ft.) this season, similar to the runway takeoff distance for a 747-8 (10,650 ft.)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin can dash the full length of the 747-8 main deck, 180 ft., in less than seven seconds
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch can squat with 16 economy seats (30 lbs. per seat)
A 747-8 Freighter can carry 121 million Skittles candies, or 302,400 one lb. bags
It would take 144 747-8 passenger airplanes (Intercontinentals) to carry all the Seahawks fans in CenturyLink Field (67,000 seats)
The 747-8 can cover the length of a football field in one second at takeoff
Seahawks fans' Guinness World Record for crowd noise is approximately 38 times louder than the 747-8 at departure
-- Boeing Seattle Seahawks 747-8 flies 12 pattern over Washington State in advance of Super Bowl
-- Some machinists call for recount, revote even as Boeing readies $10k signing bonuses
-- Boeing’s Conner comments on IAM 751 contract extension vote
-- Washington State works to hold onto Boeing
-- SPEEA wants details on Boeing research restructuring
-- Washington leaders court Airbus in the U.S.
-- Washington Governor Jay Inslee supports union member vote on Boeing contract proposal
-- Machinists march in protest of union leadership’s rejection of Boeing offer
Courtney E. Howard | Chief Editor, Intelligent Aerospace
Courtney enjoys writing about all things high-tech in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics and space geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and on Google+.
