Tag: boeing 747

All hail the Queen

thegreatplanes

It hit me when I was driving home from Everett yesterday. Southbound on I-5, I was just passing Boeing Field in Seattle when I suddenly felt like I had the wind knocked out of me. I gasped for air as my mind began to race… it was like my brain was a film reel playing nearly 60 years of history at lightning speed. My lip quivered, my brow furrowed and I started sobbing.

Just an hour earlier, I watched the 1,574th and final 747 lift off into the sunrise with its new owner, Atlas Air. I photographed it all… pushback, engine startup, the water cannon salute, taxi, takeoff, and the grand finale: a low pass that ended with a pronounced wing wave as she climbed and climbed, growing smaller and smaller, before fading away into the morning sky.

Over the past couple months, I’ve attended all of the major milestones for this very special airplane: rollout, high speed taxi test, first flight, return from paint, delivery ceremony and flyaway. Even before that, I visited the Everett factory on numerous occasions to watch the plane being assembled. I touched it. I stood inside it. And throughout it all, I maintained an almost stoic demeanor. I was aware of the history I was bearing witness to, but for reasons still unknown to me, I was practically emotionless.

Up until yesterday, there was always a “next” milestone. But, like a ton of bricks, it hit me. I suddenly realized there wasn’t anything left. The 747 had become a legacy airplane program, and our job at Boeing was – for all intents and purposes – done. I lost it.

I’m often guilty of “golden age thinking” – a notion that’s outlined in one of my favorite movies, “Midnight in Paris.” It’s the belief that an earlier time period was better than the one one’s living in today. For me, that usually means the 1930s or the 1960s – both have unique elements of glamour and simplicity. Don’t get me wrong, I am more than content with my life and firmly believe that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, but I actually find it strangely satisfying to “reminisce” about the days of yore, even when those bygone times aren’t ones I myself actually lived in.

Those who know me well, know that I’m an emotional person. But as a historian, I think that actually works in my favor. I become so attached to different stories – the 747, for example – that they become a part of me. It’s like they’re my own memories – things I lived, not things I learned.

I can hear the legendary Joe Sutter pleading for more engineers after Boeing executives asked him to cut 1,000 from his team. I feel the energy, the drive and the determination of all 50,000 Incredibles, working around-the-clock and stubbornly refusing to leave the factory. I can smell the dust, hear the machinery and feel the vibrations of new construction as the world’s largest building takes shape around me. Some people know the promise this airplane holds, but most don’t understand the profound impact it will have on aviation… on humanity. I am there, watching the first 747 come to life.

I’m eternally grateful to everyone who came before me… those who designed and built the airplane, and those who documented the history, preserved the artifacts and told (and retold) the stories. I’m so proud and honored to be part of the team tasked with carrying forth this truly incredible legacy, and can assure you I’ll do my very best to do this story justice for decades to come. To the legendary Queen of the Skies: Our world shrunk and our hearts grew because of you.

Up for the challenge…

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As some of you may know, I had the pleasure of spending most of Saturday out at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

I arrived a few minutes past 11 a.m. on Southwest Airlines flight 1095. And since my return flight was at 7:40 p.m., I knew I had to take advantage of every last second on the ground. And boy… did I.

I was up on the roof of the parking garage by 11:30, and had a solid two to three hours for photography before storms rolled in. I welcomed the opportunity to escape the heat and sat inside for an hour or so where I loaded, edited and tagged my photos.

By the time I got back outside, I only had a couple hours left. And that’s when I saw it… an inbound Challenge Airlines 747-400F.

Belgium-based Challenge Airlines (previously ACE Belgium Freighters) operates only two aircraft, both 747-400Fs. The carrier — which began service in April 2019 — was forced to change its name due to a dispute with another ACE: Alaska Central Express.

And yes, for those familiar with Israel’s CAL Cargo Airlines, the two airlines are related. CAL also operates a fleet of just two 747-400F aircraft, both of which bear an all-white livery with “Challenge Accepted” written on the side. I knew there had to be a connection, and lo-and-behold, they’re sister airlines.

Originally, the aircraft (OO-ACF) was slated to land at ATL at 6:30 p.m. However, being at the world’s busiest airport, an hour and 10 minutes before my flight seemed to be pushing it just a smidge… at least for a stress-prone person like myself. But, I was (of course) willing to risk it.

As the hours past, however, the aircraft’s ETA kept getting later, and later, and later. Realistically, this bird was going to touch down a few minutes after 7 p.m. Remember… my flight is at SEVEN FORTY.

Was it risky? Yes.

Did I stay? Yes.

I saw its beautifully kelly green nose when it was still several miles out. My heart was racing… both from nervousness and excitement. I snapped as many pictures as I could in just a minute or two, before packing my camera and beginning what may have been the craziest “race“ of my life.

I sprinted — and I mean SPRINTED (I ran the 100, 200 and 400 on my high school’s varsity track and field team, so THERE!) — across the parking ramp. I scurried down a wet flight of concrete stairs (of course, I nearly fell) and stormed through the crosswalk and into the terminal. I ran up to TSA PreCheck where I was the ONLY human being in sight, zipped right through security and ran down the escalator to the Plane Train where I hopped on for a swift ride over to the C concourse where my gate was luckily the nearest one to the train stop.

I arrived at my gate at 7:20 p.m. and got right into the airplane.

I was huffing and puffing, and drenched in sweat… but underneath my purple mask was one of the biggest smiles one could imagine.

I did it.

So thank you, Challenge Airlines, for challenging ME to pull something off that many people would have thought impossible.



Farewell, Big Blue

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I love KLM.

As an aviation historian, of course the Dutch flag carrier is near and dear to my heart — it’s the world’s oldest airline! KLM is special to me for reasons beyond its incredible 100-plus-year legacy, however…

A few years back, just after I had accepted a job with The Boeing Company, my dad and I took a trip to Europe. We had flown across the pond on a Delta A330, but our return flight was what I was most excited for… as my dad hade done everything he could to ensure I’d finally get to ride on a Boeing 747 — the legendary Queen of the Skies.

As the trip was winding down, my anticipation grew… and before I knew it, I was sitting in a port side window seat on a KLM 747-400 “combi” getting ready to depart Schiphol for Chicago O’Hare (which would become my new “home” airport just a month later).

The flight was magical, to say the least. Everything from first setting foot on the aircraft, to watching the General Electric CF6 engines power up, then ultimately lifting off the ground, sky-bound — it was such a wonderful experience.

Since my flight on the “City of Vancouver” (PH-BFV) in November 2017, I’ve loved seeing and photographing “Big Blue” — my collective nickname for the handful of 747s that KLM still flew over the past few years.

There were rumors circulating that KLM had accelerated the retirement of its 747 fleet. And lo and behold, those rumors rang true. The last revenue flight landed today at Schipol at 3:32 p.m. local time.

I’ll miss seeing you, “Big Blue” — and I’ll always cherish my many fond memories, both on the ground looking up, and in the sky looking out.

Note: I took all of the above photos, with the exception of the last one, which was taken by Ben Suskind. That was my flight coming into ORD from AMS on Nov. 7, 2017.

Meet Me in St. Louis

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I’ve actually never seen “Meet Me in St. Louis,” but with my love of classic movies, and given it stars none other than fellow Minnesotan Judy Garland, I can’t believe I haven’t! More to come on that…

Today is important, because I’ve officially worked at Boeing for a year now. I’ve learned a lot about the company and the industry, and even more about myself. Living alone in a new city has been telling—sad at times, exhilarating at others—but I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

To be honest, the last couple months have been really tough. The loneliness of living alone has really started to set in, and a few other things here and there had led me to feel a bit hopeless and unsure of what my future held. But I did my best to “keep calm and carry on” with a positive attitude… and that, coupled with the love and support of my family and friends, kept me going.

And believe it or not, as much as I love the city of Chicago and the amazing friends I’ve made here at Boeing World Headquarters—and despite having only been here for just more than a year—I’m moving on. Heck, I’ll just say it: I’m movin’ on up!

Well, technically I’m making a lateral move career wise… and I guess I’m moving farther south… but to me, this new adventure is a huge step up. In approximately three weeks I’ll be moving to St. Louis to work in the Boeing Archives.

I’ve always been fascinated by the history of The Boeing Company, and to be able to work with a team who shares that passion and in a building that houses and preserves such remarkable artifacts… it’s incredible. Man, I’m excited!

To add to that excitement, I’m currently onboard Spirit Flight 737 from ORD to LAX to celebrate my great friend Chris Sloan’s 50th birthday at the PAN AM EXPERIENCE! And… AND… this morning I got a call from one of my favorite people on the planet: my mentor, Benét Wilson. She said “I told you so…” with regard to my new adventure, and she’s absolutely right.

She DID tell me so.

She knew that despite my having to deal with some tough stuff over the past couple months, everything would ultimately work out for the best. And it did.

With that, here’s to perseverance, positivity and new adventures. Cheers!