Why Do Boeing 747SPs Still Fly in Canada?

[@rtbrtb_dutchy4183]

I flew the SP for roughly 1500 hours from 2008 till 2018. It’s the only 747 I ever flew. And the best I ever flew. Mach.86 long range cruise for 14 plus hours ending up at FL450. No other plane can do this.

[@rtbrtb_dutchy4183]

@Sonic The Hedgehog 2 And Birds no thanks.

[@lelandbradford51]

@@rtbrtb_dutchy4183 ahhh haha

[@mikemontgomery2654]

I thought it would have been faster.

[@rtbrtb_dutchy4183]

@@mikemontgomery2654 it is faster. I’ve done trips at Mach .90 But that burns a crap load of extra fuel. Mach 0.86 was the best long range speed.

[@theweedeater1842]

@Smasher BG nah

[@vicpinto1970]

I flew on these many a time from Johannesburg to Lisbon on South African Airways. Back then, South Africa could not fly over Africa due to apartheid so they flew around the bulge which took more fuel. The 747 SP was the aircraft of choice. I've even sat in the first class deck and gone into the cockpit while en route - a real treat for a 10 year old.

[@philipberry6477]

You’re welcome

[@marcusott2973]

Vienna to Lisbon in a Boeing 707 and then to Cape Town on a 747SP, I was 12. I was flying alone, back when your parents could take you up to the gate and your grandparents could pick you up at the gate the other side. The cabin crew spoiled me with snacks and a SAA metal model of the 747SP and I was allowed on the flight deck too. What a treat, the pilots actually took time explaining some of the instruments to me. THX for triggering that pleasant memory.

[@encinobalboa]

I flew in a SP around 1980. I've also flown in a 707B and a DC-10.

[@noodlebike]

My sister & I flew on these between SA & UK when we were kids on SAA. The crew used to take us to the cockpit to sit with pilots. Great memories, now 51 years old!

[@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568]

south africa is evil

[@ianbell8701]

Very good video footage of the P&WC 747SP flying test beds (FTBs). Thank you for posting. Sorry to hear that your inquiries did not get answered. Perhaps I can help....and apologies in advance for the longwinded comment. I worked at the P&WC for about 18 years. Ten of those years were spent in the flight test operation (originally out of St. Hubert, Quebec - CYHU). During that time we operated the 720B (C-FETB) as well as a Vickers Viscount (C-FTID), King Air (C-GARO), and Learjet (C-GBRW). I also worked for 22 years for AlliedSignal / Honeywell in Phoenix in the flight test operation there (retired in 2020). Honeywell also operated a 720B as a flying test bed (N720GT / N720H) and later a 757 (N757HW). I am very familiar with the propulsion flight test requirements of test bed aircraft and I would be happy to share with you some of the FTB selection criteria. Why the 747SP? Like the Boeing 720, the 747SP has excellent high altitude capability. Flight testing of turbine engines can be divided into four main categories of testing: Performance, Operability, Controls and inflight starting - these are the "big-hitters". Performance testing requires a large flight envelope (low-speed, high-speed and high-altitude). Typically an altitude capability of 45,000 feet is a must for any respectable propulsion test bed. The 747SP, like the 720B, is very capable of reaching the FL450 altitude requirement and is therefore an excellent platform for engine performance testing . Operability and controls flight testing usually requires a large flight envelope on the left-side of the speed/altitude envelope (high and slow). This is generally where the pinch-points are encountered for engine compressor surge and stall. Controls testing and operability testing are similar in nature since the control system must be designed to mitigate surge and stall issues. Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption (TSFC) is the parameter that sells the engine to the airframer. The engine manufacture then has to make the engine operable over the entire flight envelope so that it is safe and certifiable (CFR 14, Part 33). Inflight starting involves shutting down the test engine at altitude and then relighting the engine either by windmilling or by means of an assisted start. Sometime the engine must be cold-soaked for prolonged periods while shut down with the FTB flying straight and level (not descending). It goes without saying that having the test engine as an addition (not replacing one of the main engines) allows start testing to be performed at a high enough altitude in steady-state conditions (constant altitude and airspeed). This is why engine manufactures strive to add the test engine to the FTB as opposed to replacing one of the existing engines. However when the test engine is very large, one is limited to utilizing one of the existing engine positions (GE, RR). During operability testing the engine will need to be maneuvered by rapidly snapping the power lever. This transient thrust change does affect the FTB and the pilots must try and maintain the desired flight condition while the test engine is maneuvered. Generally speaking FTBs with more "tail-volume" have a much easier time maintaining condition. This is one of the reasons that General Electric (GE) and Rolls Royce (RR) went to the longer 747-400 as opposed to the shorter 747-100 (N747GE) and 747-200 (N787RR) respectively. Aside from the airplane capability requirements, prospective FTBs must be reasonably cost-effective and fit into existing flight test facilities (Hangar, ramp space, room for data acquisition systems etc.) I hope this answers some of your questions. Keep up the good work.

[@uwekonnigsstaddt524]

And……….this data answers the question not answered by the company. I knew it had to do with engineering, thanks for sharing that info and enjoy your retirement

[@datapoint6859]

"apologies in advance for the longwinded comment".. Brother, I could listen to you all day, thank you for this excellent knowledge drop.

[@ianbell8701]

@@datapoint6859 Thank you for your kind words.

[@Cap1talNumbers]

The quality of this comment is unreal. Thanks for taking time to spread knowledge

[@bryonslatten3147]

@@uwekonnigsstaddt524 I’m pretty sure Data Point’s retirement will come to an end when he’s brought up on espionage charges for revealing too many secrets on the internet. 😆

[@moriver3857]

One of those two SPs seems to have the original JT9D engines. 40+ years old and still flying. That was the product of the real Boeing, not what's today. Excellent video.

[@DrTWG]

Boeing , Boeing , Gone

[@גלעדחוצןצלניקר]

these are JT9D-7J!

[@colinpovey2904]

In addition to the reasons you mentioned why P&W still use the aircraft, most parts are the same as a regular 747, and there are a LOT of spare parts floating around, and a LOT of mechanics are very familiar with the aircraft. Combined with low the price paid for the aircraft that you mentioned, all that combines to keep these aircraft 'inexpensive' to operate. And while they will burn more fuel than say a used 777, they fly so little that fuel is the least of expense worries.

[@Michael.Chapman]

The most attractive 747, the fastest and the one with the highest service ceiling and range. These Special Performance aircraft are rare gems, thank you for featuring them :-)

[@LaveryTribe]

One of my favourite aircraft. I watched SOFIA arrive in Christchurch a few months ago - her final visit to New Zealand before decommissioning. Unfortunately, the aircraft was damaged on the ground and spent much of it's time here being repaired. NASA then decided to scrap this season's program so she departed a couple of weeks ago but not before performing an awesome fly-past over the city. A great sight and one I won't forget in a hurry.

[@jeffnic3116]

Small correction, the 747SP was derived from the 747-200, not 100, the upper deck windows is also a giveaway to to this fact. The canoes for the flaps are also missing as the flaps were revised to smaller flap area thanks to the reduced weight of the aircraft.

[@dzapper7]

Boeing built later -100's with the ten window hump and would retrofit already built aircraft at the carriers request, additionally some -200's were built or even later modified to have the three window hump (the aircraft in the TWA Flight 800 tragedy being one of these modified from ten to three windows). The first SP's were built after they started doing this, and in fact the prototype SP had the ten window top deck as did the next 43 aircraft. The only SP built with fewer than ten windows on the top deck was the last one built for the UAE Presidential Flight which had five on the left side and seven on the right. Also the main improvements on the -200 were a strengthened wing structure and strengthened landing gear, neither of which were used in the SP.

[@seeburg220]

If there's an emergency exit for the upper deck on only one side of the aircraft, then it is a -100. The 200 has them on both sides.

[@jeffnic3116]

@@seeburg220 Thanks for that. I guess that is due to the fact the 200 seated passengers in the upper deck, hence, emergency exits required to meet number of passengers.

[@andrewhawk2642]

To add further to your detail, the SP was a more advanced version of the -200 as it introduced triple autopilot and other improved systems. This allowed it to operate the first non-stop trans-Pacific services, long before ETOPs existed. However it did use the -100 wingset with the single acting flaps (hence no canoes) as a weight saving. Its performance was epic and even allowed a 20% derate on takeoff power if selected. Pilots loved them. Ex QF LAME.

[@KuostA]

@@dzapper7 why would airlines want to go from 10 down to 3 windows on the 200?>

[@nitehawk86]

The little tiny 747 is sooo cute! My favorite 747.

[@jimrestaino7763]

I flew on a 747SP back in oct. 76 on Clipper Constitution N532 PA from JFK to LHR on a charter for airline employees and families which my dad worked for. Ten years later i started working at PanAm in JFK as a machinist in the main machine shop for landing gear and engine overhaul Blg. 208 / Hangar 19. There i was given a cracked wing plate that was removed from N 744 PA Clipper Ocean Spray which retired around 2018 as a flying test bed for GE engines, after 48 years of service. The plane was donated to the Prima Air Museum. The part hangs on my garage wall today.

[@stingingmetal9648]

After watching the video I discovered I live less than an hour from where these aircraft are located. In Mirabel, Quebec. Definitely planning to visit some day.

[@voyfan99]

Being that I am from Connecticut and my father worked at P&W for 37 years in engine testing, I really liked this video Alex!

[@dpfreedman]

I worked in IT systems for Pan Am for just shy of 10 years. Right up until they shut down. Flew on the SPs many times. So many years later and I still miss Pan Am. Fantastic place to work.

[@helicart]

I used to fly between SYD and LAX a lot in the late 70s and 80s. It was a genuine pleasure to fly with Pan Am in their 747 SP Clipper Constitution. They were so much more spacious and comfortable. Today's economy flights are cattle trucks by comparison.

[@richardshiggins704]

I flew them once from Paris CDG to JNB via ZRH back in 2003 with SAA . They were then relegated to the trunk domestic route JNB-CPT-JNB before being retired . To reduce weight they had a single slot flap mechanism . Great plane with extraordinary range .

[@Kiwibikerbuddy]

Spooky! I've just got in from watching SOFIA doing test flight & awesome city flyover here in Christchurch, New Zealand, to find your upload in my recommendations. NASA's 747SP SOFIA has been coming down under to be based in CHC for southern winter deployments since 2015 & put the telescope to good use in our extra clear skies at night. These annual visits have created a special fondness & familiarity for SOFIA by the locals. For the crews it has become a home away from home, although in a southern winter. {Ideal for any crew/staff who are keen snow skiers.) Unfortunately, before all this winter's missions could be completed, SOFIA received damaged during high winds while it was parked on a hardstand resulting in cancellation of remaining night time missions as it was being repaired. Following that, today was a test flight which ended with a low flight over Canterbury province, Christchurch City, Christchurch Airport then back for a touch & go before another circuit & landing. Test flight was successful, so the beast (due the engine noise) will depart Christchurch for a final time on Thursday (11 Aug) & we may be in for more display before it leaves our skies forever. Sad that this remarkable aircraft is to be decommissioned shortly. I, like my fellow city folks, will miss SOFIA's visits. I hope it ends it days in an aircraft museum & is not scrapped. For some excellent photos of the city flyover, check the Christchurch Airport Facebook page.

[@danharold3087]

Thanks for sharing that. Its one cool plane.

[@HairHelmet]

A friend of mine is part of the flight crew on SOFIA, but he was disappointed to not be on the final New Zealand mission.

[@Capecodham]

SOFIA?

[@HairHelmet]

@@Capecodham si

[@Capecodham]

@@HairHelmet SOFIA?

[@Vicstarz26]

It is nice to see 747's still flying within Canada. I hope other Canadian airlines eventually get more widebody planes.

[@awuma]

From a passenger comfort point of view, more narrow-body A220's would be better, especially if the range is even more extended, allowing regular trans-Atlantic operation.

[@Vicstarz26]

@@awuma Fair enough but it wouldn’t be wise having narrow bodies operating transatlantic or transpacific routes. Being crammed in and not having decent wide seats or seat pitch, the flight makes it more uncomfortable. Plus, Canada is so wide spread, operating YYZ - YVR or YYJ is like flying transatlantic lol, the major carriers are starting to use the wide bodies

[@carrisasteveinnes1596]

And when they fly away from Canada for the final time, we'd love to see the entire Marxist Government from the PM down, on those planes to sail over the horizon, never to return.

[@avidpix]

Give it 40 years, and we’ll see Buffalo Airways bringing the 747 Cargo on stream as it ‘modernises’ its fleet 😬

[@Panzermeister36]

@@carrisasteveinnes1596 jesus

[@mrtank2010]

0:15 That is the plane my mom worked on in the Air Force!

[@GeeBoggs]

Those SPs were always my favorite looking version of the 747. I dunno’ why. It was just sexier looking; somewhat in the way the TriStar and Constellation were.

[@weedeater62]

We called them 'Super Pickles'. I worked on an Autoland upgrade for the SP using a borrowed TWA SP. The Saudis king had his own personal SP to fly around in.

[@amtrakharry]

Excellent!!! I didn't even know about these planes...:):):) Thanks for sharing this with us Alex...:):):)

[@peiwu979]

Very unique and special SPs. Keep them flying!

[@Kevin_747]

I flew the 747 Classic and 400 twenty three years. The last SP I saw was a dormant ramp queen parked in Sharjah, UAE. It would've been fun to fly one and check out the extra performance from the lower weight. In the 90's there used to be an SP owned by a Saudi Prince flown into Lexington,KY so he could attend the KY Derby. Never knew what happened to that one.

[@kikokusy9974]

With the resurgence of long-range, low-capacity flights from more remote airports that are currently serviced by the A321xlr and the 787, I personally see a place for the 747SP again. Perhaps boeing could make a new and improved version with only two engines that were more powerful and efficient and market it as an alternative to aging 757s?

[@craiglsimons]

Amazing! The 747SP is an incredible plane and I’m thrilled to see there are some 747s still flying! I’m sure Virgin Atlantic once flew one from London Gatwick to Miami in Christmas 1999 - first time flying to USA - because I remember seeing “747SP” it under the tail and it was shorter than the 747-1/200. However, I can’t find any details on it? Maybe someone can Canada seems to be an aviation enthusiast’s dream since numerous classics like this and 737-200 Combis continue to fly! Must get to Canada one day🤞Awesome channel Alex! Subscribed 🙌

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Really fascinating plane. Much more interesting than the twin planes of the 2000s.

[@noroy2]

Great video man, greetings from Mexico!

[@tmiklos4]

I saw one at the Las Vegas airport about 2 years ago. The Tail is distinct...there was a newer 747 sitting there also at the time. That was the only SP that i ever saw..

[@davidcole333]

I remember seeing these fly into and out of SFO in Pan AM colors during the 70s. They have a cool factor of 11 on a 1 to 10 scale! I had no idea any of these were still out there.

[@dapto234]

I remember being at Sydney International Airport and seeing Qantas 747SP's operating there.They only had 2 747SP in their fleet at the time.Sth African Airways also operated 747SP's into Sydney.

[@andrewwarcup684]

Flew on one of these, Sydney to San Francisco, 14 hours non stop.

[@GeeBoggs]

This is a great report!

[@australiantruckspotting8883]

I’ve have always been fascinated by the 747SP

[@Ashfaq1999]

Great video 😊

[@Panzermeister36]

There is a 707 at the air force museum in Trenton Ontario that has both of these modifications -- swappable number 3 engine and a stub mount on the side of the forward fuselage for small jets or turboprops. I can't remember if it's ex-NRC (for TCCA airworthiness certification etc.) or if it's from an engine manufacturer. But either way it is very cool as you can walk all up around and under it. It's also a rare short fuselage 707 too. Thank you for the informative and interesting video!

[@Melbourne_Approach]

Super interesting! I didn't know they mount a fifth engine like that. Looks pretty funny lol. Great video! 👍

[@martinross5521]

Saw a Luxair SP747 depart Luxembourg for Cape Town several decades ago. Took off like a rocket 🚀

[@Pesmog]

Another reason they continue to fly is that the 747 SP's are predominantly analogue. You can't just bolt a different engine on the wings of a modern jet without having to write a whole load of code for the predicted revised flight envelope which would make it uneconomic. With the SP, to test new powerplants they probably only have to worry about the test engines software which is a given anyway for a new product

[@davec8921]

For once the answer to "why is X still flying" isn't "the north" haha. Sad PW never replied to your requests.

[@Capecodham]

PW?

[@jio8464]

@@Capecodham Pratt & Whitney

[@Capecodham]

@@jio8464 I wonder what he did with the time he saved not typing ratt & hitney

[@Pootie_Tang]

@@Capecodham I'm curious, did you watch the video in it's entirety before asking about PW? Please don't take it as me nagging you, but author in the video have said about him trying to contact PW via email. Case is I'm also didn't understand at first what the heck is "PW", but immediately after watching the video all became clear. So reading your comment regarding a man saving time by using abbreviation, I thought about you saving time by not watching the video before commenting. I might be wrong, and don't mind anyway, just thinking out loud:-)

[@Capecodham]

@@Pootie_Tang I did watch the entire video. Did the producer use the term, "PW?"

[@MikeBabsBC]

I saw a 747SP land I Kelowna a few years back, it was awesome to see! The pilot floated it in and the wheels didn't touch the runway till almost half way! Needless to say the brakes were smoking by the time he got to the end.

[@scottmoseley5122]

I used to fly on China Airlines 747SP and might have flown on the famous 747SP that fell 30,000 feet and survived .(that craft was repaired and placed back in service ).

[@jackkrause6936]

Someone just recently saw it sitting at Las Vegas airport! It always seems to pop up! Haha

[@CoastToCoast_Trains]

Nice to see the SPs still flying!

[@shauny2285]

Any 747-SRs still flying?

[@bitcoin-investment]

@@shauny2285 no iirc 747-400d also is out of use

[@varghese15]

Had flown the 747 so from lax to Taipei in the 80s what a nice plane. .

[@willburrito9710]

I flew Quantas SP from Lax to Sydney. Sat in last row and made the jump to one of the bunks behind the curtains. Flight attendant didn’t argue…😂

[@JUSTforwhitlisting]

I'm from Montreal and see these two jets when they fly wide circuits for runway 24 at Mirabel

[@michaelo1929]

When I was a kid, I had a "Dyna-Flytes" Pan Am 747SP die cast toy. I've only seen one once back in the day. Baby jumbo.

[@ronaldpainting5614]

I flew from Boston to San Francisco on a TWA 747 SP in April 1982,another box ticked. I then spotted on flightradar 24 the SOFIA 747 flying from Germany west out to the Atlantic over North Wales when it was being upgraded recently. Pity it is now grounded.

[@jetfe]

SOFIA was in Hamburg Germany for a maintenance check. After that test flights were complete, we flew her to Cologne to fly science missions. This was during COVID early 2021. You probably saw her heading home around March 2021.

[@carlosdad2204]

I used to fly on the PanAM 747SP from New York to Tokyo a few times a year.

[@elffirrdesign2063]

Houston to Joberburg SA for me back then

[@sonycans]

I flew on C-FPAW... That's when it was B-2452 under Air China and that was a horrible flight. The flight was from MEL - SYD - CAN - PEK however at the start of the flight it was delayed for a whole day. Next morning the the plane took flight and while flying over Mount Bogong, one engine powered down and it landed in SYD with a slight yaw when reverse thrusting. After two hours in SYD, B-2452 took to the runway and it started to take off. 25% down the runway the plane aborted take-off and the engine in question was smoking with fire trucks rushing to it. There was another delay and very late later this time with a half load of passengers as many were scared continuing with this plane it finally flew to CAN where I hopped off. That is my experience with this plane and ironically it is now a test bed... Holy crap!!!

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

There was a B-47 used as a testing bed for the Orenda Iroquois engine, with the test engine hanging off the side.

[@TruthProvider]

And the engine bent the fuselage from the excess thrust!

[@LuisJBetancourt]

I live in Miami FL , and you will be surprised of how many airlines still use the 747 for international flights and they are used a lot for cargo flights

[@DanTDMJace]

Not the SP

[@panam747]

I loved the SP!

[@PhillipMorton]

Good work. I suggest you swap the word "unique" for unusual. Unique generally means "never before, never again".

[@ralphwatt8752]

Sofia been flying out of Christchurch New Zealand recently Wonderful to see her

[@NQY-flyer]

I do recall B.747 SP's at LHR operating for Syrian Air around 2000

[@avidpix]

Give it 40 years, and we’ll see Buffalo Airways bringing the 747 Cargo on stream as it ‘modernises’ its fleet 😬

[@jessemillington5988]

My dream is to just see one and hear it since I can't fly on it! Just beautiful!

[@frozenuruguayball6436]

I cant look at the 747SP without cracking up

[@paulbuckles5353]

Saw one of these out of the Middle East landing at MSP years ago. The story was that somebody in a Royal Family had to get to Minnesota for Cancer Treatments at Mayo Clinic.

[@zororosario]

Hot Rod 747! Nice👌👍

[@MartonR]

They look so cute 🥺

[@jamesbambury]

GTF for geared turbo fan And PAW for Prat and Whitney Some one who picked these registrations has a good sense of humor

[@Capecodham]

GTF? PAW?

[@jamesbambury]

@@Capecodham the registrations of the planes

[@Capecodham]

@@jamesbambury the registrations of the planes?

[@dosmastrify]

My God that vertical stabilizer is massive

[@stevehamilton3181]

Great looking little plane. Almost a sports car version of its bigger sisters. Would love to see one flying out west but with only 250 hours per year I guess that ain’t going to happen…☹️

[@jrwxtx]

I love the look, shorter body with larger vertical.

[@lonistewart3405]

Very interesting.

[@akshonclip]

The good ole “Short Bus” of the skies. 🚌

[@davidporter2770]

I am South African, and flew many times on the 747SP,s of South African Airways. Lovely smooth and comfortable planes. I flew on the SAA SP often from Joburg to Perth return. And Joburg to Mauritius. SAA and Pan Am were the driving force for Boeing to develop this special aircraft. Initially SAA had 5 SP,s. Maybe even 6. In fact SAA have one left at the SAA Museum on display at Rand Airport, Johannesburg.🇿🇦 🇿🇦 PS. The 747SP was a derivative of the 747-200 Super B. Not the 100.

[@jjeherrera]

I remember seeing one of those with Iranian Airlines back in 1996 at Narita Airport.

[@bryonslatten3147]

I think we’re in a sunset period in history with quadjets and the engine manufacturers may be forced to modify larger twinjets as FTB’s for larger engines once the quadjets are gone.

[@benjohnson2183]

i thought the SPs were originally made for Japan Air Lines because of their need for a high capacity aircraft but small enough to fly domestic in Japan

[@franktao8337]

That's the SR (built for All Nippon Airways I think)

[@weedeater62]

The Short Range was a high capacity (500+) aircraft for short trips (

[@dufus7396]

First time i saw jumbo was one an SP. Wellington New Zealand.. early 70s so huge it looked slow in the air

[@LiloulaMe]

It's so cute!

[@benpeltola1364]

The JT9Ds with short cowlings 😍🥵

[@naturallyherb]

I got a chance to see the NASA SOFIA 747SP down in Christchurch NZ in 2019!

[@deanpesci8484]

P & W needs all the help it can get with the catostrophic engine failures it has experienced, namely United from west coast to Hawaii, which was a total nightmare, and Denver to Hawaii, which didnt even get 10 miles into the flight before dropping most of the engine into North Denver...

[@coolbreeze253]

I remember seeing them with Braniff years ago.

[@OwlRTA]

a 747SP is the subject of an aviation incident, where a China Airlines flight fell 30,000 feet in under 3 minutes before the pilots recovered the plane (it was their fault the plane got into that position), and it sustained so many G-forces. Somehow it stayed together (except for pieces of the horizontal stabilizer, pieces from the elevators, and landing gear doors, plus its wings were permanently bent upwards by 5cm). The plane is very tough.

[@thelettuceconsumer]

If/when these are retired, they totally should go into a museum for preservation and restoration! There really aren’t enough of these rare ladies left!

[@B52Stratofortress1]

The commercial value on these would be next to nothing given how old they'll be when the time comes to retire them, so I could see one being given to a museum. Pratt and Whitney Canada used to fly a Boeing 720 that was really strangely modified, and it was given to an aviation museum somewhere here when they stopped using it.

[@FinsPhotography]

5:40 That Statement became true 😢

[@Heathfx5]

Reminds me of my stumpy screwdriver. Rare, hard to find, but handy to have.

[@Cingearth]

Sophia NASA aircraft is actually in nz Christchurch and looked good at Christchurch waiting to explore the stars for the last time ever before being broken up for scrap in October !

[@kpdvw]

After retiring them Airbus is an excellent alternative...!

[@btm_kiwigaming5449]

For the last 2 or so months we've been graced by Nasa's lovely 747sp down in New Zealand. Definitely an odd sight & sound down here as we usually only get/have regional twin jets & twin props. She left about 2 weeks ago unfortunately 😓

[@ATIMELINEOFAVIATION]

My fav plane!

[@Capecodham]

orite

[@american101]

I got to see SOFIA on display at Pima Air and Space in Arizona in late January!

[@jonwyatt6282]

Shoukd do a video about Fry’s Electronics, the Fry’s owned one of these at some point

[@jetfe]

yes they did...N747A. After Fry's it went to Mojave, CA where NASA used it for spare parts for SOFIA (N747NA)

[@Smokeyr67]

I love the SP’s, but I like short wheel,based LandRovers, Hiluxes, Landcruiser and Suzuki Sierras, somI obviously have a bit of a bias 😀

[@PASquared]

Alex, any intel on any kind of testing/flight schedule for these, beyond just checking FR24 etc.?

[@marcolibree]

They fly like once a week, for a few weeks then stop for a while

[@stellarsjay1773]

Wow, some serious get up and go there. Reminds me of the late 60s, early 70s when Detroit put their big engines into smaller car bodies to offer more muscle💪

[@erg0centric]

If you shortened the fuselage on an Airbus, does that make it the Shortbus?

[@Capecodham]

footage?

[@donnafromnyc]

If the full size 747 is "the queen of the skies", the SP is the "princess royal".

[@stingingmetal9648]

Stunned. Not only does this aircraft amaze, I realized I live less than an hour from where they are stationed at Mirabel. It would be interesting to see one of these 747's configured for max performance.

[@LWJCarroll]

I think also they can test engines at higher than usual airline altitudes….Laurie N Z. (AKL-SFO Pan-Am. Direct… 1977 )

[@Inobex]

The LAS Vegas Sands 747SP is still in service!

[@jetfe]

April 26, 2024, VP-BLK was retired to Kansas City. Sands Aviation is out of the 747SP business.

[@WonderfulAircraft]

I didn't know ANY 747SP's were still flying at all

[@wasim486]

SP 😍

[@nitehawk86]

2:37 It's got an ear! They should call it Van Gogh.

[@sylviaelse5086]

Given that worldwide manufacture of four engined airliners has ended, or is about to end later in 2022, there will inevitably come a time when operating four engined test aircraft is no longer feasible. I have to wonder what happens then. Twins are meant to be able to continue a take-off after V1 on one engine, but the acceptance of the inherent risk of doing that is based on the assumption that post-v1 engine failures are rare. That assumption becomes suspect if one of the engines is being tested.

[@dillengeorge220]

I like to imagine that SP stands for “short plane.”

[@Dutchy-1168]

For Cargo hauls ‼️‼️🇨🇦🇨🇦