The Boeing 747
Even if you don’t know a lot about aircraft, you probably recognize the name Boeing 747 when you hear it! One of the world’s most famous jets, the Boeing 747 is a long haul commercial airliner known for its remarkable size.
Boeing 747 History
The Boeing company in the U.S.A. first produced the Boeing 747 for commercial use in 1970. For many years, it was the largest capacity commercial jet in use, and had the added distinction of being the first commercial wide body aircraft.
Boeing 747 - What Does It Look Like?
The typical Boeing 747 jet seats between 400 and 500 passengers, still one of the largest capacities in the world. The most recognizable feature of the Boeing 747 is the hump created by its upper deck, an appearance you probably associate with commercial airlines without even realizing it! The plane remains one of the world’s largest commercial jets, measuring about 230 feet long with a wingspan of between 190 and 210 feet!
Boeing 747 Advantages
In spite of its size, the Boeing 747 is by no means an inefficient vessel. It has four engines and the latest models fly at subsonic speeds of Mach 0.85 (the equivalent of approximately 550 mph) with a range of over 8,000 miles. In terms of safety, very few crashes have occurred due to design flaws in the 747. There have only been 45 incidences of hull-loss since the 747’s maiden flight in 1969, most of them due to pilot error. The Boeing 747 triumphed over initial predictions of failure, going on to become the most recognizable and popular commercial aircraft in the world. Most major airlines have a few Boeing 747s to their name, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a more familiar sight than a Boeing 747 jet barreling down the runway for takeoff!
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