Payne Field (the airport we landed at) is the home of one of the Boeing Assembly Buildings. This place has the distinction of being the largest assembly plant for Boeing. Not to mention the largest building ON EARTH!
The factory has a volume of over 472,000,000 cubic feet and sits on just over 98 acres of land!
This is where all of Boeing's Large Aircraft are produced. Such products as the 747, 777, and 787. Another Factory in Renton, just south of this plant produces the 737 Family.
On the way in, our arrival procedure too us right past Mount Rainier, the highest peak in the Cascade Range and Washington. It's summit is at just over 14,000 ft above sea level.
The sun was on the other side of the peak, so the colour is a bit washed out. Impressive none-the-less!
One on the ground, we parked very close to the ramp where the completed aircraft await dispersal for delivery. There were several 787's and 747's ready and waiting. Some with paint and some without.
The large painted doors are on the various bays of the factory building. The building is so massive, it has it's own weather system inside. When the doors are opened, the warm, humid air from outside begins to rush in and mixes with the cooler air inside creating clouds and sometimes rain within the building itself!
The factory is bustling with activity. Concurrently the 747, 787, and 777 are all being produced in the plant. Here are the production rates of the Everett Factory.
- Boeing 747 - 1 Per Month (32 to be Built - Completion Estimated June 2018)
- Boeing 777 - 8.3 Per Month (278 to be Built - Completion Estimated July 2018)
- Boeing 787 - 14 Per Month (772 to be Built - Completion Estimated March 2020)
- TOTAL - 23.3 Per Month (1082 to be Built)
There are also some other interesting aircraft on the ramp at Payne Field.
This Convair 580 is used by Honeywell to test new avionics systems and instrumentation with the goal of improving flight safety. They test all of their new avionics suites on this and other aircraft like it across the country. New technology for a very old plane! 63 Years!
This old B-52 just sitting in the grass.
All Fueled Up Ready To Go!
A very unique aircraft off in the distance. The Boeing 747-LCF (Large Cargo Freighter).
These were custom converted 747-400's used specifically for transporting larger aircraft components that are built elsewhere. They were unloading 787 wings this particular night. Which are apparently made in Japan.
I begin my days off here in a couple of days. So that'll be about it for now. See you in a couple of weeks! Off to visit the family for Thanksgiving! So wishing you all safe travels and a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
I'll leave you with a beautiful sunset over Whidbey Island and Possession Sound
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