Boeing 747 days are numbered

[youngsod]

andyA700 said:

My first ever journey on an aircraft was in this 747 in 1996. What a superb aircraft they were/are, so smooth.

https://www.jetphotos.com/registration/EP-IAB

You flew on an SP? Now I am jealous. Alas NASA is once again trying to cancel SOFIA, probably the most illustrious SP still flying.
https://www.space.com/sofia-flying-telescope-nasa-...

[Eric Mc]

I doubt it's NASA "trying to cancel" SOFIA. It's more that Congress' approved budget isn't enough to keep it going. It's been part funded by Germany for years.

[WyrleyD]

youngsod said:

andyA700 said:

My first ever journey on an aircraft was in this 747 in 1996. What a superb aircraft they were/are, so smooth.

https://www.jetphotos.com/registration/EP-IAB

You flew on an SP? Now I am jealous. Alas NASA is once again trying to cancel SOFIA, probably the most illustrious SP still flying.
https://www.space.com/sofia-flying-telescope-nasa-...

I flew on South African Airways 747SP on a few occasions between 1976 and 1980, they had 5 of the 45 production run.

[aeropilot]

Eric Mc said:

I doubt it's NASA "trying to cancel" SOFIA. It's more that Congress' approved budget isn't enough to keep it going. It's been part funded by Germany for years.

Yep, and its that other funding that has been withdrawn.

[Eric Mc]

I thought that might be the issue. Maybe an aircraft like SOFIA is no longer required anyway.

[magpie215]

Eric Mc said:

I thought that might be the issue. Maybe an aircraft like SOFIA is no longer required anyway.

I'd tend to agree with the Hubble and James Webb available the need for a high altitude telescope seems less important.....the maintenance cost Vs hours flown must be eye watering on an old 747 like that.

[Ayahuasca]

Don’t see many these days. Nice to spot this one today.

[Mabbs9]

Ayahuasca said:

Don’t see many these days. Nice to spot this one today.

Nice to see. -8 I think with Lufty.

[Speed 3]

Last new build one rolled off the production line last night:

[The Moose]

Speed 3 said:

Last new build one rolled off the production line last night:

Do you know when the penultimate 747 rolled off the production line?

[Teddy Lop]

Speed 3 said:

Last new build one rolled off the production line last night:

I guess that's it for 4 engined civilian airliners then?

With most of the -8s freighters and airlines looking to offload a380s, will these double deck behemoths still be something you're likely to fly on or even see in ten years? Seems the end of a era, they defined the ultra long haul.

I suppose the engine tech is about ready to think about a big twin double decker but with airbus burnt from the a380 (which never realized it's potential anyway) they and boeing would be waiting for airlines to come begging before they'd consider building it.

[andyA700]

Teddy Lop said:

Speed 3 said:

Last new build one rolled off the production line last night:

I guess that's it for 4 engined civilian airliners then?

With most of the -8s freighters and airlines looking to offload a380s, will these double deck behemoths still be something you're likely to fly on or even see in ten years? Seems the end of a era, they defined the ultra long haul.

I suppose the engine tech is about ready to think about a big twin double decker but with airbus burnt from the a380 (which never realized it's potential anyway) they and boeing would be waiting for airlines to come begging before they'd consider building it.

The age of the four engine airliner is far from dead. There are plenty of A340's still being used and I cannot see UAE or Qatar getting rid of its A380's anytime soon.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A340

[djc206]

andyA700 said:

The age of the four engine airliner is far from dead. There are plenty of A340's still being used and I cannot see UAE or Qatar getting rid of its A380's anytime soon.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A340

Qatars A380’s are planned to go in 2028. Emirates have said they’ll be keeping some of theirs in service until at least 2035.

[aeropilot]

andyA700 said:

Teddy Lop said:

Speed 3 said:

Last new build one rolled off the production line last night:

I guess that's it for 4 engined civilian airliners then?

With most of the -8s freighters and airlines looking to offload a380s, will these double deck behemoths still be something you're likely to fly on or even see in ten years? Seems the end of a era, they defined the ultra long haul.

I suppose the engine tech is about ready to think about a big twin double decker but with airbus burnt from the a380 (which never realized it's potential anyway) they and boeing would be waiting for airlines to come begging before they'd consider building it.

The age of the four engine airliner is far from dead.

I think the previous poster was referring to the fact that, with the last A380 being made last year, this final 747 marks the end of all 4 engine civil aircraft production, not use.

[ch37]

Had a chance to shoot 3 on a clear night at Kemble recently, won't get many more chances to do this sort of thing. Pretty awesome sense of scale when you're stood near 3 and trying to frame them all...

Edited by ch37 on Thursday 8th December 08:54

[seyre1972]

Memories - first flew on a Pan-Am 747 in 1981 ..... LHR-MIA

Recently - On a West Coast of USA Road Trip - drove through the Mojave desert passing the Mojave Airport/Space Port - where quite a few 747s have been parked up/storage/pending decommission. Have a few blurry photos taken @ about 90mph @ a distance .... I know what they are, everybody else may struggle ....


So grabbed this from t'internet

[aeropilot]

seyre1972 said:

So grabbed this from t'internet

Mega rare Convair 880/990 in the far right background.

[Yertis]

aeropilot said:

seyre1972 said:

So grabbed this from t'internet

Mega rare Convair 880/990 in the far right background.

And what looks like a Delta Dart top left.

[yellowjack]

andyA700 said:

The age of the four engine airliner is far from dead. There are plenty of A340's still being used and I cannot see UAE or Qatar getting rid of its A380's anytime soon.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A340

We regularly get to see A340-600s around Bournemouth, and I suspect we will for some time to come. European Air Cargo have six or eight of them (depends how up-to-date various internet sources are) operating cargo or freighter (Preighter?) charters from Hurn airport. There were six on the ground last time I passed the airport. Five ex-Virgin Atlantic, two ex-Iberia, and one ex-Etihad according to their fleet list. The two ex-Iberia aircraft are showing as "due" on the internet but I've definitely seen an A340-600 on the tarmac at Hurn with Iberia's tail colours still on display... https://www.planespotters.net/airline/European-Car...

I'd agree with other posters, though. This last delivery of a 747 from Boeing marks the end of four-engined passenger aircraft production. In service, though? They'll soldier on for many years to come, I think, trickling down to smaller operators as big airlines with the capital to invest in more efficient, cheaper to run airframes retire their "fours". They'll outlast me, I reckon...

[Petrus1983]

ch37 said:

Had a chance to shoot 3 on a clear night at Kemble recently, won't get many more chances to do this sort of thing. Pretty awesome sense of scale when you're stood near 3 and trying to frame them all...

Edited by ch37 on Thursday 8th December 08:54

Lovely photos ch37