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United 747 Fleet Is Retired — So How Can You Still Fly On ‘The Queen Of The Skies’?

Kim Clark
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United 747 Fleet Is Retired — So How Can You Still Fly On ‘The Queen Of The Skies’?

It has been 47 years since Boeing rolled the first 747 off the assembly line. Boeing has made more than 1,500 of the Queen jumbo jets since 1970. The first one took its maiden flight in January 1970 with Pan American Airways. This year will mark the first time since then that the US operated 747 passenger planes will be missing from the skies, as Avgeeks around the world make plans to celebrate its send-off.

By the end of 2017, United and Delta will stop flying the passenger planes. In fact, November 7 was the last day of operations for United’s 747 fleet. United commemorated the occasion with a special flight between San Francisco and Honolulu, complete with retro styling for the flight crews who will wore 1970s style uniforms and featured music from the ’70s when 747s were the newest jet in the skies.

Delta has not finalized plans for the final flight but has scaled back routes to include only international destinations. The remaining 747s still in the air that are operated by US airlines are represented by a few charter jets and cargo operators. But that does not mean the 747 is going away completely. Avgeeks, take heart: even with United’s retirement and Delta’s planned send off, you can still catch a flight on a 747 if you fly internationally.

The Good News: Major International Airlines Are Still Flying The 747

British Airways

British Airways 747
British Airways Boeing 747-400 taking off at Sydney Airport. Photo Jeff Gilbert (http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6124192&nseq=24)

British Airways is still proudly operating 747-400s. With 36 of the aircraft still in service, British Airways holds the distinction of being the largest operator still using the planes. It does have a replacement plan under way, however, and is phasing out the 747s and replacing them with long haul twin jets like the Boeing 777, Boeing 787, and Airbus A380 and A350. CFO Steve Gunning, who spoke at an IAG investor event November 3, said the incoming twin jets are 30% more fuel efficient than their 747 predecessors and the airline will save $196 million in fuel costs over the next five years by retiring the older planes. The last British Airways 747 is expected to take its final flight in February 2024, according to Gunning.

Lufthansa

In fact, Lufthansa is still flying the 747-400 domestically between Frankfurt and Berlin for a limited time. According to Zach Honig at The Points Guy, Lufthansa will operate as many as five roundtrip domestic 747 flights between November 14 and November 30. Most of these are longhaul flights. The airline has not committed to a definite schedule frequency for the flights but if you want to catch one, you will have to settle for coach class since Lufthansa’s 747-400s don’t offer first class but rather, a beefed up business class option.  The airline also operates a fleet of Boeing 747-8is and 747-400 cargo aircraft.

Korean Air

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Korean Air Lines Boeing 747-8 at Frankfurt Airport. Photo tjdarmstadt (wikimedica commons: Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Korean Airlines continues to operate the 747-8 Intercontinental. The passenger version of the plane made its debut in 2011. The jumbo jet can fly up to 8,000 nautical miles and seats up to 467 passengers.

Korean Air was the first airline on the planet to operate both the freighter and passenger version of the 747-8. “Korean Air has been a valued Boeing customer for more than 40 years,” says Ray Conner, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Conner goes on to say, “I am confident that the 747-8 will continue to play an important role in Korean Air’s long-term success.” Currently, Korean Air operates 737s, 747s and 777s in it’s fleet of 88 Boeing passenger jets. It’s cargo fleet are all either Boeing 747-400s, 747-8s or 777s. The airline took its first delivery of the 250-feet and 2-inches long 747-8I this summer. Boeing says the Korean Air delivery was likely the to be the very last one ever. In the U.S., no passenger airlines placed orders for the 747-8i and no future orders are expected.

China Airlines

China Air 747
China Airlines Boeing 747-400 in Frankfurt(Main) International. Photo Schummchen (wikimedica commons: Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Other operators

In total, as of July 2017, there 489 Boeing 747 aircraft in service for commercial airlines, according to Flightglobal Ascend. They are made up of eight 747-200s, five 747-300s, 370 747-400s and 106 747-8s and are sprinkled across a number of international carriers, with previously mentioned Lufthansa,Air China, and Korean Airlines as the primary operators new -8i. Other airlines like El Al, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and Qantas still operate the -400 series.

Boeing 747 Freighters Still in Demand

Today,  747 passenger plane operators have declined. The numbers will dwindle further over the next few years. On the flip side though, there are still operators of the Boeing freighter, some brand new. Qatar Airways just picked up its very first 747-8 freighter. Boeing does not have direct competition for its freighters which boast a huge, cavernous interior. The company expects to continue to manufacture the freighters but only plans to produce about six per year. Even though the Queen of the Skies is going to be for the most part flown out to pasture, orders for freighters occasionally roll in. Additionally, Boeing says its other jets such as its 767, 787 and the 777 will benefit from the transition away from the 747.

United Airlines Says Mahalo To The Boeing 747 With Final Passenger Flight

Bill Walton
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United Airlines Says Mahalo To The Boeing 747 With Final Passenger Flight

The appropriately named United Flight 747 pushed back from gate 86 at San Francisco International (KSFO) on Tuesday November 7th 2017 and departed about an hour late due to an air conditioning issue at 1200 local time. The 747-422 (N118UA- MSN 28811) made a pass over downtown San Francisco and the Golden Gate before heading southwest. When the flight landed at rain-soaked Daniel K. Inouye International airport (PHNL) in Honolulu almost six hours later and taxied to terminal M, the flight had re-enacted the first United Airlines 747 passenger flight some 47 years ago. The jet, delivered in 1999, sported a special retro “Friend Ship” hybrid livery first seen a month previously when United’s Family Day event at SFO featured the jet. Below is the final departure of a United Airlines 747 from SFO, posted on Twitter by United.

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Boeing 747 flies into the sunset. Image courtesy United Airlines

United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz was on hand to greet the passengers. Throwback uniforms, period-specific on-board entertainment, and a special 1970s-inspired menu along with a disco-era feel all contributed to the flight’s atmosphere being similar to that first United Airlines 747 passenger flight to HNL on July 23rd 1970. That first SFO-HNL flight was made using a 747-100 aircraft. The “Mahalo” flight used a 747-400- a more advanced version of the same basic aircraft.

Today, Boeing 777 wide-body airliners as well as next-gen 787s, even Boeing 737-900s fly the SFO-HNL route for United. Ah the wonders of Extended Twin Engine Operations (ETOPS).

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The first United Airlines 747. Image courtesy United Airlines

UAL flight 747 took nearly six hours to cover the 2,458 mile flight. The flight ended with Honolulu crew adding a giant lei over the “Queen of the Skies”.  Check out the beautiful photo of the 747’s arrival at HNL posted on Twitter by Jaspreet Singh.

United’s Flight 892 took more than ten hours to fly the 5,863 miles from Seoul in South Korea to SFO on October 29th 2017. That flight was the final United Airlines international 747 passenger flight. With the retirement of the 747 from passenger routes by United, the only American passenger carrier to continue flying the 747 is Delta Airlines. But Delta will stage a similar final 747 passenger flight in December of 2017, which will bring the era of US-based 747 passenger flights to a close.

First flown on February 9th 1969, the 747 entered service with Pan American Airlines as the aircraft’s launch customer on January 22nd 1970. United’s first 747 passenger flight took place on June 26th 1970. On April 22nd 1985 United acquired Pan Am’s Pacific routes and 11 747SP aircraft. Between January 29th and January 20th 1988, one of those 747SPs, dubbed “Friendship One”, set a new world circumnavigation speed record of 36 hours, 54 minutes, and 15 seconds. Another United 747SP was later converted into NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).

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Image courtesy United Airlines

BREAKING: Former MLB Pitcher “Doc” Halladay Dies In Crash Off Florida Gulf Coast

Bill Walton
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BREAKING: Former MLB Pitcher “Doc” Halladay Dies In Crash Off Florida Gulf Coast

Update #1 Nov 7, 2017 6:22PM PT:  Icon Aircraft released a statement on the crash.

“We were devastated to learn that former MLB pitcher Roy Halladay died today in an accident involving an ICON A5 in the Gulf of Mexico. We have gotten to know Roy and his family in recent months, and he was a great advocate and friend of ours. The entire ICON community would like to pass on our deepest condolences to Roy’s family and friends. ICON will do everything it can to support the accident investigation going forward and we will comment further when more information is available.”

Original report:

At 1300 local time on Tuesday November 7th 2017, eight-time MLB All-Star and two-time Cy Young award winning pitcher Roy “Doc” Halladay was killed when the ICON A5 light sport amphibian aircraft he was flying crashed into the Gulf of Mexico about ten miles west of St. Petersburg in Florida. The aircraft came to rest inverted in shallow water. Halladay was 40 years old.

No cause for the crash has yet been determined and an investigation is underway. Halladay had only owned the 2018 ICON A5, a Special Edition dubbed the “Founder’s Edition 001”, since October 12th 2017. The aircraft, N922BA, was registered to his father.

The ICON A5 Aircraft

The ICON A5 is a two place light sport aircraft powered by a Rotax 912 iS fuel injected four cylinder engine producing 100 horsepower and turning a 3 bladed pusher-configured composite propeller. The aircraft required a waiver to increase its maximum takeoff weight to remain within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) light sport category. Some controversy clouded the ICON A5 due to a revised purchaser’s agreement from May of 2016 that removed mandatory cockpit voice and video recording devices.

Equipped with folding wings, a whole-airframe Ballistic Recovery Systems parachute system, and a unique (in category) angle of attack indicator, ICON A5s have been flying since 2014. Three A5s have been lost in fatal mishaps; this is the second one this year.

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Image Courtesy ICON Aircraft

“Doc” Halladay’s MLB Resume

Roy “Doc” Halladay pitched for a total of 16 seasons in the big leagues. He broke into “the show” with the Toronto Blue Jays of the American League (AL) in 1998. He played 12 seasons there and then another four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League (NL). Halladay won 203 games with a 3.38 ERA.  He also won the Cy Young in 2003 (in the AL) and 2010 (in the NL). On May 29th 2010 Halladay pitched the 20th perfect game in MLB history. “Doc” Halladay then threw the second no-hitter in MLB postseason history in the same season- the first pitcher to accomplish that feat since Nolan Ryan in 1973. Halladay will be eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Provides the Full Spaceflight Experience

Charles Atkeison
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Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Provides the Full Spaceflight Experience

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Exploring space with new simulators and witnessing the thundering launch of a rocket into Earth orbit and beyond are a few of the highlights designed to educate and excite the public at the Kennedy Space Center’s Visitor Complex.

As families look toward America’s Space Coast for its sugar beaches and great seafood, the excitement of the Kennedy Space Center is also tops on their list. The next generation of space explorers and engineers are leaving their princess dresses and superhero outfits behind for flight suits and NASA caps, and interacting with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) core values not provided in most schools.

One of many jewels located on the Merritt Island wildlife refuge is NASA’s fourth space shuttle orbiter Atlantis, on display with a 43.21 degree tilt to allow guests the only unique opportunity to view the inside of a payload bay. Atlantis helped deliver supplies and hardware to assist in the construction of the International Space Station, and she served as a platform in space as astronauts made the last servicing call to the Hubble Space Telescope.

A Journey Through Space Program History

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Photo by Charles A. Atkeison.

The Visitor Complex is also host to updated exhibits featuring artifacts from both the early days of the space program and the space shuttle, and today includes a high quality mission to Mars simulation aboard a future Orion spacecraft. The newly added Cosmic Quest allows visitors to take a realistic mission to Mars, the space station, ride a rocket launch, or test your steady hand as you capture an asteroid.

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Photo by Charles A. Atkeison.

“Never before have we been able to offer our younger guests the opportunity to engage directly with NASA designed missions in this way,” KSC Visitor Complex chief operating officer Therrin Protze said. “By introducing Cosmic Quest, guests discover firsthand how to launch a rocket, redirect an asteroid, and build a habitat on Mars – all based on real NASA missions. This game play experience is designed to inspire and educate young people about STEM.”

As you move from the historic rocket garden toward the Orbit Cafe, you will likely meet up with a former astronaut during your tour. Astronauts from the Apollo and shuttle programs provide both insight and behind-the-scenes details of their space flight and what it took for him or her to earn a space flight.

“I always enjoy coming back to the Kennedy Space Center as it brings back a flood of memories from my days launching on the space shuttle,” said former NASA astronaut Dr. Don Thomas who flew four times aboard the space shuttle. Thomas is one of a handful of astronauts who visits the space center to speak with children, both young and old, about what it is like to travel in space.

“It’s great fun participating in Dine With an Astronaut,” Thomas noted as we stood near shuttle Atlantis on Sunday. “Besides a discussion of what space food is like and how we prepared our meals in space, it is a great opportunity to share some personal stories from my four missions in a more informal setting. I think the astronauts enjoy it as much as the visitors.”

Thomas discusses in length about one of his favorite shuttle missions in his book Orbit of Discovery. A popular book located in the Visitor Complex gift shop, it expands upon his own discussion and a personal question and answer session with the guests.

Experience The Thrill Of A Launch

Adjacent to Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center is the Shuttle Launch Experience and the ability to simulate the feel of a real shuttle launch. The astronaut engineered and test-flown flight simulator rotates into a launch position and provides a rumble and G-forces during lift-off. You’ll likely hear the clanging of loose change and keys from pockets following the 45-degree rotation prior to flight so be warned.

“To get my launch fix these days I enjoy the Shuttle Launch Experience which does a great job simulating what a launch aboard the space shuttle was like,” Dr. Thomas explained. “All the vibrations, rattling, and rolling takes me back to launch days when I was all strapped in and ready to go.”

See The Shuttle Successes And Failures Up Close

One longtime NASA engineer who rose to chief of the processing of the space shuttle orbiters for flight appreciates what the center has accomplished in sharing the whole story of the shuttle program. He later notes that the newly added Challenger and Columbia exhibit is an added value to the Visitor Complex.

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Photo by Charles A. Atkeison.

“It’s pretty amazing to have Atlantis right here, and I tell guests we never had this view while we were working on it,” said Terry R. White, former shuttle processing chief who today serves as a NASA docent near shuttle Atlantis. “It was in a hanger all surrounded by steel. So the only one who had this view — until this display was set up — was an astronaut on a spacewalk, or an astronaut aboard the space station.”

“It’s a little bit heartbreaking to see it in this state, but now it serves a whole new role as to educate people,” White explained. “Hopefully we can educate in the needs to continue flying in space, and get everybody around the world to fund it because we receive so many benefits from space.”

White adds he prepared Atlantis for each of her 33 space flights in one way or another. He also worked to process space shuttle Challenger for flight, including her ill fated final flight in 1986. He recognizes the benefits of the Visitor Complex newly opened memorial to Challenger and Columbia.

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Photo by Charles A. Atkeison.

“Recently they opened a nice memorial to both crews and the vehicles — they did a nice presentation,” White said as he gave a nod of appreciation. Fourteen windows peer into the life of each astronaut lost aboard Challenger and Columbia in 2003. From the music they performed, sports they played, and the hobbies they enjoyed, the Visitor Complex pays tribute to the two crews.

As you pass from the crew remembrance you next embark upon a dark room highlighted by two blue illuminated large windows each framing a section of debris from each of the lost orbiters. A section of Challenger’s left fuselage and the burned window frame from Columbia’s cockpit are on permanent display several meters from their sister ship.

I asked Terry White if placing the orbiter debris on public display felt right with him, “From my point of view, let people see it, understand it, and maybe that will make them make different choices in the future. Let people analyze what we need to do to make things safer.”

As White spoke to admirers of Atlantis, this aerospace journalist watched as his friendly manner and motivated discussions brought visitors together to lean in and learn more about the storied spacecraft. In 2011 and after 30 years of processing space shuttles, Terry White was named a Kennedy Space Center Living Legend by his peers and NASA management.

Bus tours of the business side of the Kennedy Space Center will take you to historic areas such as the space shuttle runway, a real Saturn 5 moon rocket, and the massive Vehicle Assembly Building. The 526-foot tall building, featuring a huge United States flag and the NASA logo on one side, is one of the largest single story buildings in the world by volume.

The VAB provided NASA a place for the precise stacking both the Saturn V and 1B stages, and later, the stacking of the shuttle’s solid rocket boosters and subsequent mating of the space shuttle’s three key components, orbiter, external tank, and boosters. Shuttle pilots called it the “sugar cube” as its small white box shape was the first space center landmark returning crews saw on approach to its three-mile long runway.

The Hall Of Fame For Space Heroes

Heroes and Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is an exciting new exhibit designed to inspire future space explorers and open their minds. Simulated holograms and virtual reality will allow you to soar with astronauts as they detail the story of a selected mission.

The newly upgraded Astronaut Hall of Fame is also located in the new building following its move from its former location at the main gate of the space center. This past May, two former shuttle astronauts, Michael Foale and Ellen Ochoa, were inducted into the Hall during a public ceremony beneath Atlantis — both of whom flew aboard the now retired shuttle.

Kennedy Space Center is short drive east from Orlando along highway 50 with a right onto the 405 at Titusville and into the space center. Travel north or south on I-95 will also make travel easy as you take exit 215 and stay east.

Gates open at 9:00 a.m. EDT, and the multiple ticket options will allow guests to explore different regions of the space center based on your schedule. Tickets are available online via KennedySpaceCenter.com or at the entrance to the space center.

(Charles A. Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)

Watch: Those Close To The 747 Say Their Goodbyes And Share Their Experiences

Bill Walton
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Watch: Those Close To The 747 Say Their Goodbyes And Share Their Experiences

747s will soon disappear from passenger service by the tow remaining US operators. That’s not news. But this video from CBS Sunday Morning is an entertaining and revealing look at Boeing’s iconic jetliner. While air freight companies will continue to fly 747s, many passenger airlines like United are planning to retire the jumbo by the end of the year. In fact United will fly their last passenger flight on Tuesday November 7th. The video includes interviews with historians, pilots, and others connected with the 747.

[youtube id=”6SsnBmRt4i4″ width=”800″ height=”454″ position=”left”]

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Image courtesy Boeing

An Incredible Journey

First flown in 1969, the 747 entered service with Pan American Airlines in January of 1970. Boeing has produced 1,539 747s (all variants). Since 1990, the Air Force’s two VC-25As (747-200Bs) carried the President of The United States. Other military 747s include the E-4B airborne command post, the YAL-1 airborne laser platform, a pair of (now-retired) Shuttle Carrier Aircraft for NASA. There were also several experimental types including the KC-33A aerial refueling tanker (not produced).  There were also a few novel ideas for ‘the queen’.  They included the 747 CMCA cruise missile carrier, and even the 747 AAC (Airborne Aircraft Carrier) which was intended to launch ten small fighter aircraft.

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Official US Air Force photograph

747s have also been used as aerial fire-fighting platforms, and for the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). 21 major models of the 747 have flown since production began in 1968. A major star in movies, 747s demanded top billing in the Universal Pictures disaster films “Airport 1975” from 1974 and “Airport 1977” from 1977. The climactic scenes of 20th Century Fox’s 1990 drama “Die Hard 2” starred a 747 as did the 1996 Warner Brothers drama “Executive Decision”, Columbia’s “Air Force One“ from 1997, and New Line Cinema’s 2006 film “Snakes On a Plane.”

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Image courtesy NASA

Emirates receives its 100th Airbus A380

Jerry Taha
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Emirates receives its 100th Airbus A380

On November 3rd 2017, Emirates reached a milestone as it received its 100th A380 at a special ceremony at Airbus’ delivery centre in Hamburg, Germany.

The ceremony was officiated by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Emirates’ Chairman and CEO. According to Sheikh Ahmed, this is a tremendous moment for Emirates, Airbus and for their many partners involved in the A380 program. According to Al-Maktoum, theA380  brought the flying experience for Emirates’ customers to the next level.  It’s the world’s largest commercial passenger jet and a showpiece of engineering as it’s both quiet and efficient. Emirates utilized the onboard real estate to redefine the thinking around inflight products and experience. The flight crew and the customers both love to fly on it.
The Emirates Chairman also stated that the A380 has been a success for Emirates. Emirates has been able to utilize it at slot-constrained airports, as well as at regional and ‘secondary’ airports, where there is a growth of passenger demand. When an A380 is being deployed onto a route, it stimulates further traffic and demand as travellers are attracted by the Emirates’ flagship experience. The U.A.E. based airline remains committed to the program and will work closely with Airbus and their partners to continually enhance their A380 product as they look ahead to receiving their remaining 42 aircraft order.

Airbus depends on Emirates to keep the program aloft

Airbus is extremely proud of their long-standing relationship with Emirates. It has been a partnership that’s integral to the A380 program.  Airbus really lucked out that such a visionary airline has always believed in the A380 from the beginning and chosen it as its flagship and the backbone of its fleet.
Airbus is very proud to be powering Emirates’ 100th Airbus A380 and they look forward to building on their strong relationship in years to come.
Emirates’ 100th A380 is powered by Rolls-Royce engines and configured in three cabin classes, with 14 private suites in First class, 76 seats in Business and 426 seats in Economy.  It also features the airline’s newly revamped Onboard Lounge. It will be on display at the upcoming Dubai Air Show and will enter service afterwards.

Year of Zayed tribute

Emirates unveiled a special tribute to the late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding father of the United Arab Emirates, with a special livery for its 100th A380.
2018 is the “Year of Zayed”, marking 100 years since the birth of the country’s founding father and celebrating his legacy. Emirates is proud to launch its tribute to the man who has been instrumental to the UAE’s formation and development, at the milestone delivery of the 100th A380. Sheikh Zayed was a true pioneer and visionary. Bringing his message of inspiration, daring and determination to the world as Emirates flies the A380 around the globe, it is an apt way for the airline to celebrate his amazing legacy.

The Future of the Airbus A380 and Emirates

The A380 has enjoyed success, due in large part to Emirates. Airbus unveiled the updated A380plus at the Paris Airshow last June. The new version of the iconic Superjumbo has a host of upgrades, which should offer airlines better economics and improved operational performance at the same time.

Airbus claims the new airliner has upgraded the giant aircraft in five main areas including fuel efficiency and passenger capacity. The aircraft manufacturer hopes the new development will make the A380–which hasn’t generated a single new order in more than a year–more financially attractive for airlines. Airbus states that this is the needed next step for their iconic aircraft to best serve worldwide traffic growth and the evolving needs of the A380 customers. The most obvious upgrade made to the A380 is the addition of a set of split winglets that are designed to curtail the effects of induced drag and wingtip vortices. Airbus claims the improved aerodynamics created by the winglets will boost the plane’s fuel economy by 4%. According to Bloomberg, Airbus is negotiating with Emirates for the order of 20 A380plus aircraft.

Video courtesy of Jerry Taha Productions. (Notice the most obvious upgrade on the new Airbus A380plus, its split winglets)

About Emirates

Emirates is the world’s largest international airline. It operates a technologically advanced fleet of over 260 wide-body aircraft.  The airline creates economically valuable air links that connect Dubai to 156 cities in 84 countries, and connect the world through Dubai. Emirates has earned a global reputation for service excellence, and has won numerous international awards for service and innovation.

About the Airbus A380

The A380 is the world’s largest, most spacious airliner that offers passengers the smoothest, quietest and most comfortable ride. With two full widebody decks, offering widest seats, wide aisles and more floor space, the A380 has the unique capability to generate revenue, stimulate traffic and attract the passengers, who can now specifically select the A380 when booking a flight via the iflyA380.com web site. Thirteen Airlines fly 218 active A380s on 60 destinations. Currently, 240 airports can accommodate the A380 around the world.
Emirates A380 Infographic
Infographic by Emirates.

Jerry’s Take on the A380

When you talk about the A380, it seems like people just hate it or love it. There are the Boeing 747 Lovers and the Airbus A380 Lovers. Although most of us grew up with the beautiful Queen of the Skies, the 747, I learned to appreciate the Superjumbo. In my opinion, the 747 will remain the most beautiful airliner ever, but you still have to admit that it is always a joy to see the monster A380 land.

BREAKING: Saudi Desert Hawk Helicopter Crashes Killing 8 Including a Saudi Prince

Bill Walton
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BREAKING: Saudi Desert Hawk Helicopter Crashes Killing 8 Including a Saudi Prince

On Sunday November 5th late in the evening local time a Saudi Arabian military Sikorsky S-70A-L1 (UH-60L) Desert Hawk helicopter carrying a senior Saudi prince and seven other officials crashed near the Reda Reserve close to the Saudi border with Yemen about 837  kilometers (520 miles) southwest of Riyadh. All eight people aboard the helicopter perished in the crash. Prince Mansour bin Muqrin, the deputy governor of Asir province, was returning from an inspection tour of the area when the helicopter crashed. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined but an investigation is underway.

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Prince Mansour bin Muqrin. Image courtesy ABC News

The Reda Reserve is located in the Sarawat Mountains about 10 kilometers (6 miles) west of Abha and roughly 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the Yemeni border. Although for more than two years Saudi Arabia has been leading a coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally-recognized government in its war with the rebel Houthi movement, the Saudi government does not believe the crash is related to the Yemeni civil war. On Saturday the Saudis intercepted a missile fired by the rebels at Riyadh International Airport.

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Image from Google Maps

Saudi Arabia has recently been undergoing a massive corruption scandal. 14 Princes and 4 current Ministers were detained on Saturday November 4th. Like many similar events there are videos of helicopter crashes being touted as footage of the Prince’s helicopter crash. There’s even one making the rounds showing the Prince boarding a Desert Hawk followed by footage of a daylight Mi-28 Hind crash. Don’t be fooled- the Desert Hawk carrying the Prince and the others crashed at night.

Watch: Super Smoky Classic Airliner Ops At San Francisco

Bill Walton
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Watch: Super Smoky Classic Airliner Ops At San Francisco

Here’s some classic commercial airliner action shot at San Francisco International Airport (KSFO) in 1973! Shot by Ken Butz, this footage of departures from runway 1R and approaches on runway 28L was originally silent but the uploader of the transfer, Classic Airliners & Vintage Pop Culture, added sound.

Featured Classic Airlines Featured in this Video Shot at San Francisco International

The film features Western Airlines (WA) and Trans World Airlines (TWA) Boeing 707s, United Airlines (UAL) and Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) Boeing 727s, WA and PSA Boeing 737s, Pan American (PanAm), American Airlines (AA) and Northwest Orient Boeing 747s, Delta and UAL Douglas DC-8s, AA and UAL McDonnell Douglas DC-10s, and even a Hughes Airwest Fokker F-27A Friendship.

San Francisco International (KSFO) grew over the years into a top 10 domestic airport

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Photo courtesy Boeing

KSFO opened for business during the 1930s on the western side of the San Francisco peninsula near San Bruno. United Airlines was one of the original and still most frequent carriers at the airport. Pan Am began flying five weekly flights to Honolulu from SFO soon after the end of World War II.

Like all major airports, SFO has been expanded, modernized, and improved many times in order to accommodate the latest airline equipment and routes.

SFO also starred in the 1968 Warner Brothers drama “Bullitt” starring Steve McQueen and 1973’s Malpaso/Warner Brothers film “Magnum Force” starring Clint Eastwood as “Dirty Harry.” Airlines from Aer Lingus to XL Airways France flew into and out of SFO more than 450,000 times in 2016.

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Photo courtesy Northwest Orient on Twitter

VIDEO: Saudi Arabia Intercepts Ballistic Missile Headed Toward International Airport

Avgeekery
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VIDEO: Saudi Arabia Intercepts Ballistic Missile Headed Toward International Airport

Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a missile aimed at Riyadh’s International Airport on Saturday.  Saudi defense forces intercepted the missiles.  The video below shows the launch of 4 interceptors followed by the explosion indicating a successful interception.  No injuries were reported.  There was no disruption to flights in and our of the capital airport.

The missile was Yemeni-built, long-range Burqan 2H.  Iran has been a supporter of the Houthi-rebels who have taken over parts of the embattled nation.  Iran is a supporter and backer of the Houthi-rebels in the Yemeni civil war.

USAF Releases Thunderbirds June Dayton F-16D Accident Reports

Bill Walton
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USAF Releases Thunderbirds June Dayton F-16D Accident Reports

UPDATED as of Nov 4, 2017 at 8:15PM PT to include a link to the full released accident investigation.

On Friday June 23rd 2017 A United States Air Force (USAF) General Dynamics F-16D Fighting Falcon belonging to the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron (USAFADS- the Thunderbirds) was involved in a mishap at Dayton International Airport (KDAY) in Ohio. The aircraft ended up inverted on the ground in a grassy overrun after failing to stop while landing on a rain-slick runway. The USAFADS was in town to perform two shows at the nearby National Museum of the US Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB).

Air Force Captain and Thunderbird 8 Erik Gonsalves was flying the jet and Thunderbirds maintainer Technical Sergeant Kenneth Cordova was the passenger.

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Official US Air Force Photograph

In typical and expected Air Force understatement, the accident report was released on Friday November 3rd 2017. In short, the cause of the mishap was “Upon landing, the pilot was unable to stop the aircraft on the prepared surface. As a result, the aircraft departed the runway and overturned in the grass. The accident investigation board concluded contributing factors to the accident included: environmental conditions affecting vision, misperception of changing environment, and failure to follow procedures.”

The pilot was a current and qualified USAFADS F-16 pilot with 1,861 flight hours as of the time of the mishap. The mishap resulted in the total loss of the $29 million F-16D jet and injuries to the pilot. The passenger was uninjured. Here’s a link to the USAF News Release.

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Official US Air Force Photograph

According to the Air Force Times, the pilot was on his second approach.  During the first approach, the rain had obscured the windscreen, rendering the HUD unusable. This problem occasionally occurs on the F-16. Due to a dead spot in the airflow around the cockpit, water can pool on the windscreen during heavy precipitation. On the second approach, the pilot relied on his instrument panel alone since his HUD was unusable due to the limiting forward visibility. The pilot landed over 40 knots fast, landed long, was slow to reduce the throttle after touchdown, and utilized incorrect procedures to stop on a wet runway. He applied forward stick pressure instead of back pressure, reducing braking effectiveness. Captain Gonsalves remains with the USAFADS but has not returned to the cockpit.

The full report was released and posted by Air Force Magazine.

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Official US Air Force Photograph

United Pulls A Delta: Airline Rumored To Purchase Used Airbus Jets

Kim Clark
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United Pulls A Delta: Airline Rumored To Purchase Used Airbus Jets

United is taking a move from the Delta playbook and is rumored to be eyeing a deal to buy up to 40 used Airbus jets. Purchasing used planes is part of the airline’s plans to slash expenses and regain confidence from investors. Shoring up cost control efforts and spurring revenue growth have been front and center for company executives who took a beating from analysts on the third quarter conference call in October, when they were unable or unwilling to share details about United’s financial recovery plans. Industry leader Delta Airlines has significantly higher profit margins and is well-known for supplementing their fleet with used aircraft in the past, a fact that has apparently not escaped the attention of United’s management team.

Delta’s done this before

Delta Air Lines MD 90 30 N907DA@SLC09.10.2011 621ca 6299847629
Delta acquired a number of used MD-90 aircraft.
Photo by Aero Icarus (Wikipedia)

Between 2000 and 2010, Delta augmented its domestic fleet with Northwest’s fleet of DC-9 and acquired additional used aircraft. At the time, other carriers spent billions of dollars on new fuel-efficient Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s as anchors for their domestic fleets. When that happened, the market became over run with older, but still viable, MD80, 717 and MD90 airliners that Delta picked up at rock bottom prices.

Recently, an airline consultant was quoted as saying the purchase of the second-hand Airbus jets would be “a cheap way of bringing in peak capacity” for the ailing United Airlines and would give a much-needed boost to short distance service.

An unnamed source claims that aircraft operated by EasyJet, a discount carrier based in the U.K., are possibly the source of the planes. Most of them are reported to be A319 and A320 single-aisle aircraft. The maximum number of jets to be purchased is set at 30 or 40 at this point in time, according to United pilots. Since there is a ceiling for the number of used planes United will buy, the deal could actually come in for fewer. EasyJet has declined to comment so far.

The planes being purchased are generally used on domestic routes but it is still unclear where United would fly them. Their currently exisiting A319s have 128 seats while the A320s hae 150.
All United CFO Andrew Levy had to say over this past summer is that dipping a toe into the used jet liner market is “an important part of our fleet strategy.” It just so happens that Levy is also a former executive of Allegiant, a discount carrier well known for flying used airplanes.

A way to acquire additional capacity without massive capital expenditures

The market value currently for a used A319 fleet is around $480 million. Compare that to list price of $2.7 billion for new aircraft and United’s motives become clear: to save money, plain and simple. This isn’t the first time United has purchased used aircraft. Back in 2015, the airline bought second hand aircraft from China. This time around, the pilots’ memo disclosing the details did not make clear whether or not this new (or make that, used) batch of planes will be purchased or leased.

United is putting the hammer down on cost containment in other ways too. Delivery of the new twin-aisle Airbus A350s has been postponed until 2022. Also, United upgraded to a more fuel efficient verions of 61 Boeing 737s that were delivered in November. These two decisions alone saved the company $1.6 billion in capital expenditures.

When asked directly about the most recent cost-saving measures, i.e. purchasing used Airbus 319s and 320s, United declined to comment on specific acquisition decisions, simply saying by email, “We have made clear that we are going to explore the used market to acquire additional aircraft.”

 

The Phirst Phantom: McDonnell’s First Jet Fighter Was The Navy’s First Jet

Bill Walton
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The Phirst Phantom: McDonnell’s First Jet Fighter Was The Navy’s First Jet

The FH-1 Phantom Was The Basis For The Improved Banshee And The Grandfather of the Phantom II

The McDonnell FH-1 Phantom piled up an impressive stack of firsts. The FH (initially designated FD) was the first twin jet-powered fighter flown by the United States Navy (USN), the first jet-powered aircraft to land on an aircraft carrier, the first jet aircraft to deploy with the Marine Corps, and the first naval aircraft to exceed 500 miles per hour in level flight. McDonnell’s first jet fighter was developed after their first propeller-driven design, the radical XP-67 Moonbat, made a favorable impression on the decision makers of the day.

1280px FH 1 Phantom in flight in February 1948
Official US Navy Photograph

McDonnell Designs Their First Jet

Three XFD-1 Phantom prototypes were ordered August of 1943. The design was drawn to incorporate the Westinghouse J30 turbojet engine, itself still under development at the time. Though several engine configurations were considered, including six tiny engines mounted three in each wing, twin wing root-mounted engines became the design of choice. The jet would mount four .50 caliber machine guns in the nose and underwing racks for rockets. The Phantom also utilized tricycle landing gear and straight wings with split flaps, had a forward-mounted cockpit with bubble canopy, and featured a high mounted tailplane design with dihedral that would be free of exhaust influence.

XFD side view web
Official US Navy Photograph

Flying During January of ’45

The first XFD-1 BuNo 48235) rolled out of McDonnell’s factory in January of 1945. At the time only a single Westinghouse 19XB-2B (J30 prototype) engine was available. After successful single-engine ground runs and taxi tests, test pilot Woodward Burke flew the jet with a single engine on January 26th 1945. Even with the engine challenges, flight tests went well and a contract to build 100 Phantoms was awarded to McDonnell Aircraft on March 7th 1945. When the war ended the contract was reduced to 30 airframes, subsequently increased to 60. The first prototype XFD-1 was destroyed in a fatal mishap on November 1st 1945.

1280px FH 1 Phantom on USS Saipan CVL 48 with folded wings 1948
Official US Navy Photograph

Second Prototype Ready for Jet Carrier Ops

The second prototype XFD-1 (BuNo 48236) became the first purely jet-powered aircraft to operate from an American aircraft carrier on July 21st 1946. The jet made four takeoffs and landings from the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42) while the ship was operating in the Atlantic Ocean near Norfolk in Virginia. The size of the Roosevelt, at the time America’s largest carrier, allowed the Phantom to takeoff using conventional deck runs instead of catapults. The second XFD-1 prototype was lost in a mishap on August 26th 1946.

FH 1 111755 AIR TEST 2 NATC Patuxent River MD 1948 PB
Official US Navy Photograph

Waiting on Sufficient Thrust

After entering production, FH-1 Phantoms were modified to carry a conformal belly-mounted fuel tank, wing-mounted speed brakes, and an improved gunsight. The engines had finally caught up with the aircraft and production FH-1s were powered by the J30 turbojets. The tailplane design was altered as well, resulting in a smaller rudder, reshaped vertical stabilizer, and shorter horizontal stabilizers. The fuselage was stretched nearly 20 inches. The McDonnell FH-1 Phantom gained operational status with Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN A (VF-17A) Iron Men on May 5th 1948.

The Phantom preparing to take off from a carrier.
Official US Navy Photograph

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