747-8 ready to begin flight testing

It looks like the 747-8 flight test program is ready to begin flight testing sometime in late January.  Two of the flight test aircraft (RC521 & RC501) are now on the flight line and are being subjected to rigorous system checks and "flight-line gauntlet" trials.  Once these are complete, the path will be clear for the 747-8's inaugural first flight.  There is a 3rd test aircraft (RC522), which is currently undergoing design verification tests of the lower lobe and main deck cargo doors.