Last year, we emphasized that the Boeing 747 has been in use for 50 years. Today is another important day for the Queen of the Sky. On December 12, 1969, Pan American World Airlines established its first unit, becoming the first airline to use a giant aircraft into service.
Juan Trippe, the head of Pan American Airlines, sought an effective way to place 400 passengers on a plane. Initially, he thought the best approach was to stack two single-aisle cabins on top of each other. However, Boeing engineers reverted to the wide-body design, using part of the second deck.
By 1968, the cost of the plan had reached 1 billion U.S. dollars, and now it is approximately 7.61 billion U.S. dollars. Finally, on February 9, 1969, the model made its first flight.
Pan American Airlines launched the 747-100 on January 22, 1970. This aircraft will become synonymous with traditional airlines and bring a new era of flying to the world. For many people, flying for the first time is because of its economy and opportunity.
Just over a month before the service entered, the world's first commercial wide-body machine was delivered. Thousands of spectators lined up to watch the four jets after the milestone. Registering with N733PA is also responsible for conducting a series of demonstration flights for the press and special guests in New York.
"Kennedy--Despite the snowstorm warning, on December 14, more than 5,000 Pan Am employees and their families came to watch Pan Am's first 747. They were also notified within a short period of time. Until December 12 In the late afternoon, no one knew when the plane would be accepted and delivered. At 8 am on December 15th, 160 employees took the plane for an hour’s flight. Due to the short schedule, the fastest The way I chose those who got on the plane,” shared the Pan American Historical Foundation, citing the Pan American Clippers Magazine through the Miami University Special Collection.
"Each department is assigned a specific number of invitations based on its total size. The lucky ones are randomly selected by the head of the department. The 747 holds a temporary license NP733PA and ranks sixth on the Boeing production line. This is where Pan Am will be in New Mexico. The first of two 747s that Roswell used to train pilots and flight engineers. After flying from Seattle to Nassau on December 13, it arrived at JFK International Airport on December 13, where the Pan American station Robert Black, the permanent representative of Boeing, officially accepted it."
People at the scene described the 747 as being as big as a church. The language of other members of the media is more colorful. For example, the San Francisco Chronicle calls it "bulb-nosed whale with wings." Despite this, despite different opinions on the appearance of the production, people were shocked by the size of the aircraft, and they were impressed that it could carry hundreds of passengers. The force received multiple nicknames during its lifetime, including Young America, Constitution, Washington, Moscow Express, and Pride of the Seas.
The 747-100 has a length of 231 feet 10 inches (70.66 meters), a tail height of 63 feet 5 inches (19.3 meters), and a wingspan of 195 feet 8 inches (59.6 meters). Four Pratt & Whitney JT9Ds power the device to help provide a cruising speed of 490 knots (907 km/h), a maximum speed of 507 knots (939 km/h), and a range of 5,830 nautical miles (10,800 km).
Pan Am initially planned for the 747 to begin commercial flights on January 21. However, the event was postponed due to technical issues affecting the aircraft originally scheduled to fly. Therefore, the next day, another supercomputer took the lead. It will transport 335 passengers and 20 crew members from JFK International Airport to London Heathrow Airport to start large-scale operations worldwide.
After the first delivery, the rest poured in. For example, TWA received the first two aircraft on New Year's Eve in 1969. Then, the airline put the aircraft into operation on February 25, 1970.
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After experiencing long-term financial problems, Pan Am will cease operations on December 4, 1991. In the second year, NP733PA will be held by Trans-Air Services with a registration number of 5N-THG. The aircraft was delivered to the Nigerian company on May 5, 1992. This groundbreaking jet has since been scrapped.
Together with the 747-100, Pan Am has -200B, 200C and 200F. This American aviation giant is also the first to use the 747SP (special performance) aircraft. This model is a shortened version produced for longer distances.
Since the beginning of the program in the 1960s, more than 1,560 747s have been built. The last aircraft in the series will be delivered in October 2022, and the final customer is Atlas Air. In terms of passenger space, the 747-8 maintains family operations to a large extent. Lufthansa, Korean Air, Air China and several government agencies are all using this type of aircraft. Air China, Air India, Asiana Airlines, Atlas Airlines, Lufthansa, Mahan Airlines and Aeroflot have also recently been using the once-popular 747-400.
A total of 168 of the 747-100 were produced. Of these builds, 167 were delivered to customers. This variant is still in use. In other words, the Iranian Air Force holds cargo modifications. The department also maintains -200C and 200F. Speaking of the military, the 747 has played the role of Air Force One since 1990. This designation is the official air traffic control call sign of the U.S. Air Force for carrying U.S. Presidential aircraft.
Overall, the 747, like other four-engine jets in the industry, is outdated because of the use of more efficient twin-engine jet engines. Despite this, the Queen of the Sky is still a favorite in the aviation industry, making many people feel nostalgic and proud. The 747 has been in service for more than 5 years. It is indeed a symbol and will leave a legacy for decades to come.
What is your opinion on the delivery of Pan Am's Boeing 747? What do you think of the history of this aircraft? Tell us what you think in the comments section.
Associate Editor-Sumit came to Simple Flying and has more than eight years of professional journalist experience. He has written for the Independent, Evening Standard and other publications, and his role here enables him to explore his passion for aviation and travel. Sumit has established strong relationships with Qatar Airways, United Airlines, Aeroflot, etc., and has performed well in aviation history and market analysis. Headquartered in London, England.