There has been talks of getting a new nose landing gear to handle heavier loads. The Facility is equipped to lift the 747 and make the changes. I have not seen anything to confirm that the rumors of getting a NLG is true.

I just know that they wouldn't spend thousands of dollars to fly up there for nothing. So, to make that flight is there for a good reason, and I would like to believe that it is to prepare for proving flights which seems very likely that it will happen in December.