Boeing 747

Boeing 747

The Boeing 747 is a large, long-range wide-body airliner designed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes between 1968 and 2023.
In April 1966, first airline ordered 25 Boeing 747-100 aircraft, and in late 1966, Pratt & Whitney agreed to develop the JT9D engine. On September 30, 1968, the first 747 was rolled out. The first flight took place on February 9, 1969, and it entered service on January 22, 1970. The 747 is called a "Jumbo Jet" as the first wide-body airliner. The 747 is a four-engined jet aircraft, initially powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D turbofan engines, then General Electric CF6 and Rolls-Royce RB211 engines for the original variants. With a ten-abreast economy seating, it typically accommodates 366 passengers in three travel classes. It has cruise speed of Mach 0.85 (490 kn; 900 km/h), and its heavy weight is supported by four main landing gear legs, each with a four-wheel bogie. The partial double-deck aircraft was designed with a raised cockpit so it could be converted to a freighter airplane.

Variants
747-100
The original 747-100 has a short upper deck with three windows per side to accommodate upstairs lounge areas. Later, as airlines began to use the upper deck for premium passenger seating instead of lounge space, Boeing offered an upper deck with ten windows on either side. The -100 was equipped with Pratt & Whitney JT9D-3A engines. No freighter version of this model was developed, but many 747-100s were converted into freighters. The first was made in 1974. A total of 168 747-100s were built; 167 were delivered to customers. In 1972, its unit cost was US$24M (155.5M today).
747-100SR
747SR was a short-range version of the 747-100 with lower fuel capacity and greater payload capability. With increased economy class seating, up to 498 passengers could be carried in early versions and up to 550 in later models. The initial 747SR model, the -100SR, had a strengthened body structure and landing gear to accommodate the added stress accumulated from a greater number of takeoffs and landings. Extra structural support was built into the wings, fuselage, and the landing gear along with a 20% reduction in fuel capacity. Rollout occurred on August 3, 1973, and the first flight took place on August 31, 1973. The type was certified by the FAA on September 26, 1973, with the first delivery on the same day. The -100SR entered service with Japan Airlines on October 7, 1973, and typically operated flights within Japan. Seven -100SRs were built between 1973 and 1975.
747-100BSR
It is an 747SR variant with increased takeoff weight capability. In the -100BSR   were several structure changes for a high cycle-to-flying hour ratio. The -100BSR first flew on November 3, 1978, with first delivery on December 21, 1978. A total of 20 -100BSRs were produced for ANA and JAL. The was powered by the same engines used on the -100SR. ANA operated this variant on domestic Japanese routes with 455 or 456 seats until retiring its last aircraft in March 2006.
747-100BSR SUD 
It is models, featuring the stretched upper deck (SUD) of the -300, were produced for JAL. The type's maiden flight occurred on February 26, 1986. JAL operated the -100BSR SUD with 563 seats on domestic routes until their retirement in the third quarter of 2006. While only two -100BSR SUDs were produced, in theory, standard -100Bs can be modified to the SUD modification. Overall, 29 Boeing 747SRs were built.
747-100B
The 747-100B model was developed from the -100SR, using its stronger airframe and landing gear design. The type had an increased fuel, allowing for a 5,000-nautical-mile (9,300 km) range with a typical 452-passenger payload. The first -100B order, was announced on June 1, 1978. This version first flew on June 20, 1979, received FAA certification on August 1, 1979, and was delivered the next day. Nine -100Bs were built. Unlike the original -100, the -100B was offered with Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7A, CF6-50, or Rolls-Royce RB211-524 engines. However, only RB211-524 and JT9D-7A engines were ordered. The last 747-100B was retired by Iran Air in 2014, the last commercial operator of the 747-100 and -100B.




747SP
The 747SP was the only 747 model with a shortened fuselage. The 747SP is 48 feet 4 inches (14.73 m) shorter than the 747-100. The SP's flaps used a simplified single-slotted configuration. The 747SP, compared to earlier variants, had a double-hinged rudder, longer vertical and horizontal stabilizers. Power was provided by Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7(A/F/J/FW) or Rolls-Royce RB211-524 engines. The 747SP was granted a type certificate on February 4, 1976, and entered service that same year. The aircraft was chosen by airlines wishing to serve major airports with short runways. A total of 45 747SPs were built, with the 44th 747SP delivered on August 30, 1982. The last plane was retired in June 2016.




747-200
Most 747-200s had ten windows per side on the upper deck. The 747-100 was powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D-3A engines. After launching the -200 with Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7 engines, on August 1, 1972, Boeing announced that it had reached an agreement with General Electric to certify the 747 with CF6-50 series engines to increase the aircraft's market potential. Rolls-Royce followed 747 engine production with a launch order from British Airways for four aircraft. The 747-200 was produced in passenger (-200B), freighter (-200F), convertible (-200C), and combi (-200M) versions. Its unit cost was US$39M (185.7M today). Total of 393 of the 747-200 versions had been built when production ended in 1991. Of these, 225 were -200B, 73 were -200F, 13 were -200C, 78 were -200M. As of July 2019, five 747-200s remain in service as freighters.
747-200B 
It was the basic passenger version, with increased fuel capacity and more powerful engines. It entered service in February 1971. In its first three years of production, the -200 was equipped with Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7 engines. Range with a full passenger load started at over 5,000 nmi (9,300 km) and increased to 6,000 nmi (11,000 km) with later engines. Most -200Bs had an internally stretched upper deck, allowing for up to 16 passenger seats. 
747-200F
The freighter version, had a hinged nose cargo door and could be fitted with an optional side cargo door, and had a capacity of 105 tons. It entered service in 1972. 
747-200C 
The convertible version, could be converted between a passenger and a freighter or used in mixed configurations, and featured removable seats and a nose cargo door. The -200C could also be outfitted with an optional side cargo door on the main deck.
747-200M 
The combi aircraft model could carry freight in the rear section of the main deck. The -200M could carry up to 238 passengers in a three-class configuration with cargo carried on the main deck. The model was also known as the 747-200 Combi. As on the -100, a stretched upper deck (SUD) modification was later offered. The option of RB211-524B engines was announced on June 17, 1975



747-300
The 747-300 features a 23-foot-4-inch-longer (7.11 m) upper deck than the -200. After being made standard on the 747-300, the SUD was offered as a retrofit, and as an option to earlier variants still in-production. The -300 could be equipped with the same Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce powerplants as on the -200, as well as updated General Electric CF6-80C2B1 engines. First order was placed on June 11, 1980. The 747-300 first flew on October 5, 1982, and the type's first delivery went on March 23, 1983. In 1982, its unit cost was US$83M (233.1M today). Besides the passenger model, two other versions (-300M, -300SR) were produced. A total of 81 747-300 series aircraft were made.
747-300M 
This modification features cargo capacity on the rear portion of the main deck, similar to the -200M, but with the stretched upper deck it can carry more passengers. 21 -300M models were delivered.
747-300SR
Short range variant, with high-capacity, it was produced for Japanese markets with a maximum seating for 584. 4 -300SR versions were made. In 1985, just two years after the -300 entered service, Boeing made an announcement of the more advanced 747-400. The last 747-300 was made in September 1990. On December 29, 2008, Qantas flew its last scheduled 747-300 service, operating from Melbourne to Los Angeles via Auckland. In July 2015, Pakistan International Airlines retired their final 747-300 after 30 years of service. As of July 2019, only two 747-300s remain in commercial service.



747-400
The 747-400 is an improved model with increased range. It has wingtip extensions of 6 ft (1.8 m) and winglets of 6 ft (1.8 m), which improve the type's fuel efficiency by four percent compared to previous 747 versions. The 747-400 introduced a new glass cockpit designed for a flight crew of two instead of three. The type also features tail fuel tanks, revised engines, and a new interior. Powerplants include the Pratt & Whitney PW4062, General Electric CF6-80C2, and Rolls-Royce RB211-524. Cruising speed is up to Mach 0.855 on different versions of the 747-400. The -400 was offered in passenger (-400), freighter (-400F), combi (-400M), domestic (-400D), extended range passenger (-400ER), extended range freighter (-400ERF), and the Boeing Converted Freighter (-400BCF). 747-400F does not have an extended upper deck. 747-400D was built for short-range operations with maximum seating for 624. Winglets were not included, but they can be added.
The passenger version first entered service in February 1989. The combi version entered service in September 1989, while the freighter version entered service in November 1993. The 747-400ERF entered service in October 2002, while the 747-400ER entered in November 2002. In January 2004, Boeing and Cathay Pacific launched the Boeing 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter Program (BCF), to modify passenger 747-400s for cargo use. The first 747-400BCF was redelivered in December 2005.
The last passenger version of the 747-400 was delivered in April 2005. A total of 694 747-400 series aircraft were delivered. At various times, the largest 747-400 operator has included Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, and British Airways. As of January 2023, 166 Boeing 747-400s were in service.
747 Dreamlifter (Large Cargo Freighter)


The 747-400 Dreamlifter
The 747-400 Dreamlifter (originally called the 747 Large Cargo Freighter or LCF) is a Boeing-designed modification of existing 747-400s into a larger outsize cargo freighter configuration to ferry 787 Dreamliner sub-assemblies. The aircraft flew for the first time on September 9, 2006, in a test flight. Modification of four aircraft was completed by February 2010. The Dreamlifters have been placed into service transporting sub-assemblies for the 787 program to the Boeing plant in Everett, Washington, for final assembly. The aircraft is certified to carry only essential crew and not passengers.





747-8
Boeing announced the 747-8, on November 14, 2005. The 747-8 uses similar General Electric GEnx engines and cockpit technology to the 787. The variant is designed to be quieter, more economical, and more environmentally friendly. The 747-8's fuselage is lengthened from 232 feet (71 m) to 251 feet (77 m), marking the first stretch variant of the aircraft. The 747-8 has received 155 total orders, including 106 for the -8F and 47 for the -8I as of June 2021. The final 747-8F was made on January 31, 2023.
747-8F
This model allows to carry seven more standard air cargo containers, with a maximum payload capacity 154 tons of cargo. The 747-8F made its maiden flight on February 8, 2010. The -8F was first made on October 12, 2011.
747-8I (Intercontinental)
It is designed to carry up to 467 passengers in a 3-class configuration and fly more than 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km) at Mach 0.855. The type's first test flight occurred on March 20, 2011. The first -8I got out of the conveyer in May 2012. 