And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Why Lufthansa Keeps Flying The 747 - Against All Logic
Worked for PanAm at JFK, weld repair shop, back then they flew 747's out of there, right next to where the Concorde would back up to the jet blast deflector, warming up the engines for afterburner take off. It was simply awesome being around both super aerospace icons. Lot of weld repair on the engines and landing gear so it was a busy shop. Never got used to how big the 747 is especially walking under one, i mean you know they fly cause you look out the shop door and see them land snd take off, but something so freakin large it just seemed impossible when one was sitting quiet in park up with engine on ground. Supposedly each wing on the early sevens generate 176,000 lbs of lift. They put up to something like 65,000 lbs of fuel in them. 36 tons of Fuel!
I fly on occasion but its getting to be rare and its always in economy but the 747 remains a favorite despite its age. It has a spacious feel that the A380 lacks. The A350 I last flew in was rather nice but its not a classic with a certain "feel". Maybe the 747 was Boeing at its best - design vision and engineering quality that seems patchy now that bean counters run it.
I was at the gate in Honolulu when the first 747 rolled in. I gawked jaw agape. Then I uttered to myself, It'll be obsolete before I can fly on one. I had the feeling but only time would tell how prophetic that was. Of all my flying over the years, I've flown every commercial jet airliner but three; the Concorde, the 747, and the A380.
There was even one flight when I was to board a 747. But at last minute, a delay was announced. The bird had gone done due one, or both, of the pilots had timed out on duty hours. Rather than find a qualified replacement, United split the passengers to two flights. Naturally, of course for that is my brand of luck.
I know the physics, I know how it works. Yet it is a struggle to not disbelieve that something so large can actually commit aviation. Once, while waiting for my flight, I counted the number of passengers deplaning from a 747. I stopped counting after 500. That is purely incredible.
Traveled a lot of miles on 747's back in the day. Pan Am, United, Continental, Cathay Pacific, Air India... Those long, over-ocean flights felt much more comfortable knowing the bird had 4 huge engines hanging under the wings. Was always a bit concerned with just two on the 767.
I've flown on several, and it's a favorite, next to the 787. Or maybe it's just because JAL is my favorite airline. I think my least favorite was the DC-10.
I spent decades flying to meet ships in various countries. The 747 is, or was, my favorite way to cross the oceans, next to transiting on one of our Ramform ships, of course.
I might as well chime in. After 2 million + miles mainly back and forth across the Pacific starting in the 1990s, then all over the place in the 2010s the 747 remains my top most favorite ride. OK it was business class for work, so there's that. But the beasts are so heavy - turbulence? What's that? Smoothest ride ever. The angle of attack almost resulted in me losing a pair of glasses that fell off, I found them on the floor in the aisle 5 rows back LOL. And while not related to the 747 I can attest to the decline in customer service at Continental after United took over, and populated the cabin crews based on seniority resulting in grumpy battle axes who were in a rush to throw the crappy food in front of you so they could go sit in their area as much as possible.
Spent many an air mile sitting up top in Business. They are terrific birds, and I hope they keep flying them.
ReplyDeleteWorked for PanAm at JFK, weld repair shop, back then they flew 747's out of there, right next to where the Concorde would back up to the jet blast deflector, warming up the engines for afterburner take off.
ReplyDeleteIt was simply awesome being around both super aerospace icons. Lot of weld repair on the engines and landing gear so it was a busy shop. Never got used to how big the 747 is especially walking under one, i mean you know they fly cause you look out the shop door and see them land snd take off, but something so freakin large it just seemed impossible when one was sitting quiet in park up with engine on ground. Supposedly each wing on the early sevens generate 176,000 lbs of lift. They put up to something like 65,000 lbs of fuel in them. 36 tons of Fuel!
You seem to be a fan of the critter.
DeleteI fly on occasion but its getting to be rare and its always in economy but the 747 remains a favorite despite its age. It has a spacious feel that the A380 lacks. The A350 I last flew in was rather nice but its not a classic with a certain "feel". Maybe the 747 was Boeing at its best - design vision and engineering quality that seems patchy now that bean counters run it.
ReplyDeleteI was at the gate in Honolulu when the first 747 rolled in. I gawked jaw agape. Then I uttered to myself, It'll be obsolete before I can fly on one.
ReplyDeleteI had the feeling but only time would tell how prophetic that was. Of all my flying over the years, I've flown every commercial jet airliner but three; the Concorde, the 747, and the A380.
There was even one flight when I was to board a 747. But at last minute, a delay was announced. The bird had gone done due one, or both, of the pilots had timed out on duty hours. Rather than find a qualified replacement, United split the passengers to two flights. Naturally, of course for that is my brand of luck.
I know the physics, I know how it works. Yet it is a struggle to not disbelieve that something so large can actually commit aviation. Once, while waiting for my flight, I counted the number of passengers deplaning from a 747. I stopped counting after 500. That is purely incredible.
Traveled a lot of miles on 747's back in the day. Pan Am, United, Continental, Cathay Pacific, Air India... Those long, over-ocean flights felt much more comfortable knowing the bird had 4 huge engines hanging under the wings. Was always a bit concerned with just two on the 767.
ReplyDeleteI've flown on several, and it's a favorite, next to the 787. Or maybe it's just because JAL is my favorite airline. I think my least favorite was the DC-10.
ReplyDeleteUpstairs was the best quiet, service always great. Could actually sleep. I miss that plane
ReplyDeleteI spent decades flying to meet ships in various countries.
ReplyDeleteThe 747 is, or was, my favorite way to cross the oceans, next to transiting on one of our Ramform ships, of course.
I might as well chime in. After 2 million + miles mainly back and forth across the Pacific starting in the 1990s, then all over the place in the 2010s the 747 remains my top most favorite ride. OK it was business class for work, so there's that. But the beasts are so heavy - turbulence? What's that? Smoothest ride ever. The angle of attack almost resulted in me losing a pair of glasses that fell off, I found them on the floor in the aisle 5 rows back LOL. And while not related to the 747 I can attest to the decline in customer service at Continental after United took over, and populated the cabin crews based on seniority resulting in grumpy battle axes who were in a rush to throw the crappy food in front of you so they could go sit in their area as much as possible.
ReplyDelete