On the 50th Anniversary of Boeing 747, Check Out These Interesting Facts About the Aircraft

Called the ‘Queen of the Skies’ for good reason, the Boeing 747 changed the course of aviation history and industry. Revolutionary in many ways, the aircraft introduced new concepts like the twin-aisle design, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and a hinged-nose that flipped open for loading oversized cargo. And guess what? On 30^th September this year, Boeing celebrated the 50^th anniversary of their stellar aircraft’s introduction to the world. You can celebrate the 5-decade milestone by flying in one of the jumbo jets!

Recently, the carrier announced additional flights that will operate in October and November 2018 between Delhi and Mumbai, and Delhi and Kolkata to serve the increased number of passengers during the festivals of Durga Puja and Diwali.

Being the world’s largest civilian aeroplane at the time, it was quick to catch the fancy of millions. Here’s why! Check out these impressive facts about the Boeing 747 that was first presented to the world on 30th September 1968.

1.       It took a team of 50,000 construction workers, mechanics, engineers, secretaries and administrators to make this mammoth project a reality—from the drawing board to the runway in less than 16 months! Boeing called them ‘The Incredibles’.

2.       The plane was introduced in three variations: all passenger, all cargo and a convertible passenger/freighter model.

3.       The larger-than-life fuselage of the first 747 measured 225 feet and its tail was as high as a six-story building. This breakthrough machine’s wing area was bigger than a basketball court but its sophisticated global navigation system wasn’t much heavier than a modern laptop.

4.       At the Boeing training school, pilots were trained for taxiing the giant with the help of a piece of equipment called the ‘Waddell's Wagon’—a simulated flight deck perched on three-story-high stilts on a moving truck. The pilots communicated with the truck driver via radio to learn how to manoeuvre from the unprecedented height!  

5.       In January 1970, the first commercial flight aboard the 747—by PanAm—from New York to London was delayed by a few hours! Engine trouble was to blame.

6.       The 747 was the first wide-body aeroplane in history to get to the 1,500-planes-manufactured landmark.

7.       Modified 747s were used as delivery vehicles for the Space Shuttle.

8.       The preferred choice of aircraft for numerous heads of states’ overseas travels, including Indian VIPs, the first modified Boeing 747-200B was delivered to the US Air Force and President George H.W. Bush in August 1990.

9.       In the past five decades, newer, more energy-efficient planes like the Boeing 777 and Airbus 350 found more takers and the iconic 747 is gradually fading into the background. Today, a little over 500 of these take to the skies.

10.   Though other planes are more popular as passenger jets, the ‘Jumbo Jet’ 747 has found acceptance as the preferred cargo carrier, especially on long-range routes.

Once again, this might be one of the last few opportunities to take off in a Boeing 747 passenger jet. So fly away, jetsetters, for old times’ sake!

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