Video: Boeing's 747-8 over Powell

The low-flying test run of Boeing's new 747-8 aircraft Saturday morning over Powell was hard to miss with the naked eye, but apparently -- at least among Tribune staffers -- it was a little harder to catch with a camera lens.

As a Tribune reader noted today in a comment on our site, we didn't have photos of the plane.

This reporter actually had his camera out when the jet passed -- with even the zoom lens on, and the lens cap off -- but was obliviously snapping photos in the wrong direction and never saw it.

Fortunately, rural Powell resident Andrew Cubbage spotted the jet as it turned near Powell, and whipped out his video camera. He kindly shared what he shot with the Tribune. It's embedded below.

The flight originated from, and headed back to, Glasgow, Mont., where the 747-8 is reportedly undergoing spray certification testing.

If the plane looked really big, there's a good reason for that: the new aircraft is more than 250 feet long and 224 feet wide. The freighter version will be able to carry a maximum payload of more than 300,000 pounds. Equipped for passengers, the 747-8 Intercontinental will hold up to 467 folks and carry them up to 8,000 nautical miles before refueling. This model of the jet is bigger and more fuel efficient than earlier 747s.

Powell residents hoping to catch another glimpse of the new craft may have to wait a while. Boeing announced last week that the 747-8 Freighter will not be ready for delivery until mid-2011; the passenger version is slated to arrive later next year.

If you snapped any photos of the big plane passing over Powell skies and feel like sharing them, please let us know. Shoot me an email at cj@powelltribune.com.