Boeing’s 747 ‘heavy’ has achieved a fifty—year reign of the airways, but now airlines are retiring their fleets as a different type of long—haul airliner emerges. Yet the ultimate development of the 747, the —800 model, will ply the airways for many years to come.
Even as twin—engine airliners increasingly dominate long—haul operations and the story of the four—engine Airbus A380 slows, the world is still a different place thanks to the great gamble that Boeing took with its 747. From early, difficult days designing and proving the world’s biggest—ever airliner, the 747 has grown into a 400—ton leviathan capable of encircling the world. Boeing took a massive billion—dollar gamble and won.
Taking its maiden flight in February 1969, designing and building the 747 was a huge challenge and involved new fields of aerospace technology. Multiple fail—safe systems were designed, and problems developing the engines put the whole programme at risk. Yet the issues were solved and the 747 flew like a dream said pilots – belying its size and sheer scale.
With its distinctive hump and an extended upper—deck allied to airframe, avionics and engine developments, 747 became both a blue—riband airliner and, a mass—economy class travel device. Fitted with ultra—efficient Rolls—Royce engines, 747s became long—haul champions all over the world, notably on Pacific routes. across the Atlantic in January 1970, 747 became the must—have, four—engine, long haul airframe. Japan Airlines, for example, operated over sixty 747s in the world’s biggest 747 fleet.
By the renowned aviation author Lance Cole, this book provides a detailed yet engaging commentary on the design engineering and operating life and times of civil aviation's greatest sub—sonic achievement.