Posted on 08/19/2015 9:09:56 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
But now the 747 is a flying antique: people are astonished when they see the analogue instruments. And the flight controls are all defiantly dependent on old-fashioned mechanical linkages. A 747 captain once explained to me that, if hydraulic assistance on the control yoke is lost, you can still put your feet on the instrument panel, give a big tug and wrench the plane about the sky. You cannot do that on a solid-state Airbus.
(Excerpt) Read more at managementtoday.co.uk ...
I don’t know about other places but seeing a 747 now in the skies around the local airport these days is rare. I could be wrong but I think it is that they are for the most part long in the tooth and when airlines need to replace them other widebody options do the job. Also in terms of fuel consumption the comparable more modern aircraft are much better and that is a major factor in what flies for airlines today.
More like "intelligently uses" ! Apparently the author prefers a plane where loss of hydraulic or electrical power guarantees loss of pilot control.
The mechanical system is a last ditch safety system and was included for that purpose.
the left brake reached temperatures higher than 900°C, ATSB reports
1652 F OH MY! Far past red heat;orange! Not much left.
Passengers could see the damage through windows and a video stream on the in-flight entertainment system, which probably made for more thrilling viewing than they would have liked
Most of the accidents with the 747s was not that of the structure of the plane, but rather, external reasons like pilot error, weather, shody matinance and repair, terrorist.
The 747 is one of the most safest aircraft flying today.
So was the RAT , just in case.
There is so much redundancy on the 747 it’s rediculus how they managed to fit it all in there.
OK. Jetliner would be more accurate.
Yeap I agree, 747 has been flying for over 45 years, of course there were accidents from terrorist bombs, TWA800 hit by runaway U.S. Navy missile test, pilots errors, several incidents not survivable: NW85 (lower rudder stucked by 5 degrees) and PR434 (UA232 scenario) landed pilots’ by improvised. Airbus 380 is just new but QF32 almost a total disaster they had to land at nearest airport like a space shuttle orbiter after it landed they couldn’t shutdown engines passengers couldn’t deplane til engines off what kind of new airplane is that? NW85 and PR434 couldn’t have been saved if it were using sidesticks. I’m not for sidestick, had Gimli glider had stick I don’t know how Bob Pearson could have done side slip.
If EMP attack really true the lighting arrester onboard may absorb whatever EMP attack, if ever al quds want to try it.
It’s new airplane, engine blast could have ripped or lost the wing, rapid lose of hydraulic fluids could have been a UA232 or PR434 scenario, saving the plane couldn’t be done by sidesticks nor die-by-wire. QF32 pilots landed the plane at above the maximum allowable landing weight dumping fuel to lighten could ignite the plane.
Many of the aircraft had placards with dates of 1935-37, but they were workhorses that flew through thunderstorms and delivered passengers safely. The C-47 military version was also a workhorse. ...DC-3s are still flying today, 80 years from birth.
The aircraft's legendary ruggedness is enshrined in the lighthearted description of the DC-3 as "a collection of parts flying in loose formation."
I’m not sure a composite handles the hump well. I’m in avionics, not structures, so take with a grain of salt.
I never see them flying but always see a few at the airport.
I didn't realize that only around 1500 or so were ever made (as compared with over 8000 737s). So they are out there but they don't make up a big percentage of airborne craft you're likely to spy at any given time.
Except for that problem with the center tank fuel explosions. {sarcasm off}
Got to remember the highest number 747 version or dirivertive sold was the 747 - 400 .
First flight of the 747-400 was back in 1989 and by the early 90s many airlines already had it in their fleet.
I would guess the average life of a 747-400 would be between 15 years to 25 years depending on how many cycles flown and how well it was maintained.
There are still alot of 747-400s still flying that still have some cycles life left in the.
I got to fly on 6 747 - 400s and 1 747-200
The only real structural problem the 747s had in it’s early life was the engine pylons and faulty mounts where the engines are mounted.
There was a few incidents where the engines came off.
Thanks! See what happens when you take a dumb grunt and send him to Field Radio Operators school!
Communications!
:-)
( I toted a PRC-25 in ‘Nam, mostly while on an 81mm mortar FO team. Eventually I ended up as the FO when the original FO rotated home. )
Comm! I MUST HAVE comm!
Trump will just use his own aircraft.
He’s got nicer ones than the government anyway. :)
The first 747 (entered service January 1970) had over 970 dials, guages, knobs and switches vs 375 for the -400.
The -400 series (entered service early 1989) had a glass panel and 2 instead of 3 cockpit crew.
Also, there are at least 31 outstanding orders (as of June) for the current -8 model.
This must be from someone from Barcelona!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.