747 - a number you will have a hard time believing!

macdoc

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macdoc
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A gigantic financial gamble at the start, the 747 paid off big for Boeing. Eighty-nine countries have used it to move people and freight (here leaving Anchorage, Alaska) around the globe. (JPC Van Heijst)
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747: The World’s Airliner

The first jumbo jet has transported the equivalent of 80 percent of the human race.!!!!! :boggled:


Read more: http://www.airspacemag.com/flight-today/747-worlds-airliner-180951414/#ixzz36eY1LsQp
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I love flying on it and they never look like they should be able to stay in the air.....but wow....what an amazing figure.....

Boeing should be proud
 
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I can remember my first trip on a BOAC in the early 70s. Flight was delayed due to a lightning strike flying in. The last one I flew on was a Qantas and it resembled a well worn bus.
 
When I was living in Asia, I flew on 747s many times. Loved flying on them too. An amazing plane. Going up the stairs always felt extra special. :)
 
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Dog Town said:
Because it WAS!
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Yes!

On Singapore Airlines, which was what I was mostly flying a few years ago, first class (with all that means on that airline) on the 747s was (is?) downstairs, at the nose, and (part of) business class was upstairs. But going upstairs on a plane always seemed extra cool to me (guess I'm still a kid at heart), despite some of what I'd be missing out on. :D

Of course, these days they've got the A380s (which I haven't flown on), so don't know what it's like going upstairs now.

The 747 will probably always be my favorite plane I've flown on.
 
AdMan said:
Yes!

On Singapore Airlines, which was what I was mostly flying a few years ago, first class (with all that means on that airline) on the 747s was (is?) downstairs, at the nose, and (part of) business class was upstairs. But going upstairs on a plane always seemed extra cool to me (guess I'm still a kid at heart), despite some of what I'd be missing out on. :D

Of course, these days they've got the A380s (which I haven't flown on), so don't know what it's like going upstairs now.

The 747 will probably always be my favorite plane I've flown on.
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The Emirates A380 has a fountain/waterfall alongside the steps.
ETA: in 2012, at least
 
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Fond memories.

My first trip on a 747 was way back in coach in the middle 4 seats. You had me on the right aisle, some american on the left aisle and a married elder couple in the middle two seats.

On approach to SFO, a storm was happening and one runway was shut down, so we sit in a holding pattern for an hour in a frakkin storm. I paid it no heed, until I noticed my american compadre at the other end of the row of four seats literally hanging out of his seat into the aisle. Noticing my puzzled stare, he said "Hey, if you look down the aisle, you can see the whole plane flexing". Really? I thought. So I did the very same on the right aisle. Sure enough you could, so I sat back up straight and looked across at my new found compadre and said "yeah, how cool is that?". At this point, the two firstimers between us, listening to this conversation passing over their laps, invested themselves in sickbags. Compadre and I continued to lean out in the aisles and observe. It was moot whether it was to observe the obvious flexure, or avoid the vomiting pair between us.

So what is my point? It is threefold.

1. While I found it interesting to observe, others found it scary.
2. Those who found it scary are utterly unwilling to learn anything.
3. In all things aerial, common sense does not apply. Science does.
 
Mmmh. Stop me if I am wrong but until 1999 I don't recall boing having a strong concurrence. What was there after 1970 (before 2000) ? Bombardied , Ambreair, Canadair, McDonnel (ETA : on top of my head) did not exactly fare well in that size. It does not look much of a feat at that body size.

Now, today, on the other hand that's a bit different.
 
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JMO that the 747 will be for Boeing what the DC3 is for Douglas.

Both still are great planes.
 
abaddon said:
Fond memories.

My first trip on a 747 was way back in coach in the middle 4 seats. You had me on the right aisle, some american on the left aisle and a married elder couple in the middle two seats.

On approach to SFO, a storm was happening and one runway was shut down, so we sit in a holding pattern for an hour in a frakkin storm. I paid it no heed, until I noticed my american compadre at the other end of the row of four seats literally hanging out of his seat into the aisle. Noticing my puzzled stare, he said "Hey, if you look down the aisle, you can see the whole plane flexing". Really? I thought. So I did the very same on the right aisle. Sure enough you could, so I sat back up straight and looked across at my new found compadre and said "yeah, how cool is that?". At this point, the two firstimers between us, listening to this conversation passing over their laps, invested themselves in sickbags. Compadre and I continued to lean out in the aisles and observe. It was moot whether it was to observe the obvious flexure, or avoid the vomiting pair between us.

So what is my point? It is threefold.

1. While I found it interesting to observe, others found it scary.
2. Those who found it scary are utterly unwilling to learn anything.
3. In all things aerial, common sense does not apply. Science does.
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I flew long haul, at least once a month for thirty some years.
I was scared every time.
Apart from nightmares, I have been more frightened on aircraft, including 747s , than at any time in my life, even when being attacked.

Why?
Well, it had nothing to do with aircraft, or science, engineering , claustrophobia or understanding. It had to do with falling. Old, old genes maybe, from the days back in Africa, up a tree somewhere.

I hid it pretty well, except from people who knew me very well. I never panicked, never refused to get on a plane. Helicopters for some reason, I didn't mind. I have bungy jumped, looped the loop in a Tiger Moth
and flown in a Microlight, but turbulence in a jet or fast fixed wing just terrified me.

Once, I had to fly as the solo passenger in a Pilatus P6 into the Algerian Sahara. In summer, the thermals are never fun. The pilot (East German Air Force trained), knowing I hated flying and deciding to shake me up a bit, stood the plane on one wingtip at take off and pulled a couple of gees. In the climb, I informed him that if I threw up, I was going to do so over him. The rest of the flight was smooth as silk.

Be tolerant of the fears of others. They may throw up on you next time.
 
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The 707s had a Dutch Roll. The roll angle of the plane would oscillate a bit in level flight.
I could watch a ground feature disappear under the leading edge of the wing, and then come back into view. The 707 had a pendulum yaw damper, not an active autopilot controlling yaw.
 
Soapy Sam said:
I flew long haul, at least once a month for thirty some years.
I was scared every time.
Apart from nightmares, I have been more frightened on aircraft, including 747s , than at any time in my life, even when being attacked.

Why?
Well, it had nothing to do with aircraft, or science, engineering , claustrophobia or understanding. It had to do with falling. Old, old genes maybe, from the days back in Africa, up a tree somewhere.

I hid it pretty well, except from people who knew me very well. I never panicked, never refused to get on a plane. Helicopters for some reason, I didn't mind. I have bungy jumped, looped the loop in a Tiger Moth
and flown in a Microlight, but turbulence in a jet or fast fixed wing just terrified me.

Once, I had to fly as the solo passenger in a Pilatus P6 into the Algerian Sahara. In summer, the thermals are never fun. The pilot (East German Air Force trained), knowing I hated flying and deciding to shake me up a bit, stood the plane on one wingtip at take off and pulled a couple of gees. In the climb, I informed him that if I threw up, I was going to do so over him. The rest of the flight was smooth as silk.

Be tolerant of the fears of others. They may throw up on you next time.
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On our trip to Yurp on a USN boat, I ot adept at whipping out the MS (maritime sickness) bag when needed. One time at dinner! A guy at the next table left in a hurry! :)
 
abaddon said:
2. Those who found it scary are utterly unwilling to learn anything.
.
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Unwilling ?

Might "unable" be a better description for people who are using air sickness bags while in fear for their lives?

ETA
or were you making a joke?
 
Soapy Sam said:
I flew long haul, at least once a month for thirty some years.
I was scared every time.
Apart from nightmares, I have been more frightened on aircraft, including 747s , than at any time in my life, even when being attacked.

Why?
Well, it had nothing to do with aircraft, or science, engineering , claustrophobia or understanding. It had to do with falling. Old, old genes maybe, from the days back in Africa, up a tree somewhere.

I hid it pretty well, except from people who knew me very well. I never panicked, never refused to get on a plane. Helicopters for some reason, I didn't mind. I have bungy jumped, looped the loop in a Tiger Moth
and flown in a Microlight, but turbulence in a jet or fast fixed wing just terrified me.

Once, I had to fly as the solo passenger in a Pilatus P6 into the Algerian Sahara. In summer, the thermals are never fun. The pilot (East German Air Force trained), knowing I hated flying and deciding to shake me up a bit, stood the plane on one wingtip at take off and pulled a couple of gees. In the climb, I informed him that if I threw up, I was going to do so over him. The rest of the flight was smooth as silk.

Be tolerant of the fears of others. They may throw up on you next time.
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Well, I'm sorry for your fears. Since I fly hang gliders and sailplanes, I think thermals are generally fun. Though I have to admit, I'd rather be flying than being flown.
 
2. Those who found it scary are utterly unwilling to learn anything.
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You cannot control your negative G intolerance - you might drug yourself out of it and exposure will help but there are many who are simply unable to fly in certain conditions.

I also fly sailplanes and as a pilot you should know that a passenger in a sailplanes lacks nothing in "unwilling to learn" category.
Some cannot tolerate negative G well and if you happen to be flying front seat...that can be a messy lesson - even with pre-flight ginger I'd hand out.
 
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