747 Farewell [Archive] - PPRuNe Forums

Left 270

22nd Jul 2020, 08:18

I’m far from an aerosexual, you’ll find me hiding away from anything Aviaton related in my downtime, but that was a little ‘sad’. Some very exciting times started with a trip on those aircraft. That’s the aircraft that’s taken many young Aussie's away for the trip of a lifetime for generations now.

Bug Smasher Smasher

22nd Jul 2020, 08:29

Jet A1 is more than 40% cheaper than it was a year ago and the flight did carry some freight.
This was the end of a significant era in Australian aviation. Is it really that wrong to shine a little light on some very dark times?

i.dingbat

22nd Jul 2020, 08:31

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/720x1248/qfa7474_599fcc3cda7b24e85b53639788418ed6041a2ba5.png
Nice. Anyone know how steep those turns were?

compressor stall

22nd Jul 2020, 08:38

Is it really that wrong to shine a little light on some very dark times?

As I said, stirring and sad. QF 747s took me on my first trip alone overseas as a teenager, and my first overseas trip with my kids. I have sentiment for it too.

The roo is a nice gesture. As for the rights and wrongs, it's not me to make that call - which is why I didn't. I am not QF and still - thankfully - employed and flying. Best ask those in or formerly of QF facing mounting mortgage payments.

Section28- BE

22nd Jul 2020, 08:42

'MAGNIFICENT'- is all..., WOW, the history and journey!!!

Rgds all/ & be Well
S28- BE

Half Baked

22nd Jul 2020, 09:09

Never again will an aircraft change the way the masses travelled, shrink the world, and make travel affordable like this magnificent and graceful bird.

To quote Section

MAGNIFICENT WOW the history and journey.

Bleve

22nd Jul 2020, 09:11

... I can't help thinking that the fuel bill for that jaunt could go towards some out of work QF employees ...

Some rough back of the envelope calculations:

The kangaroo took about 1.5 hours to fly. At say 12 tonnes per hour and 0.8 kg per litre that’s 1.5 x 12000 / 0.8 = 22,500 litres. Who knows what QF pays for it’s fuel, but when I used to pay for Jet A1 (on behalf of my employer) I noted that it was about the same price as petrol for my car. So let’s say it’s about $1.20 per litre. 22,500 x 1.20 = $27,000. Coincidently, there about 2,700 mainline pilots in Qantas. So that kangaroo cost about $10 per pilot. I don’t think any one of them is going to complain.

PS There about 30,000 QF employees, so it cost less than one dollar per employee.

ACMS

22nd Jul 2020, 09:16

You can’t help but feel a little sad today, a piece of Aviation history just left Australia........

I feel very fortunate to have flown the Queen......now I just wish I had more photos of the time......

Turnleft080

22nd Jul 2020, 09:54

THE FIRST------------------------------------------------------------THE LAST
B747-238B -------------------- Aircraft type ------------------- B747-438ER
S/N 20009-147 --------------- Serial No ------------------------ S/N 32914-1331
PW JT9D-7A ------------------ Engine -------------------------- GE CF6-80C2B5
June 10 1971------------------ Rolled Out (Paine) ------------ June 6 2003
July 8 1971---------------------First Flight --------------------- July 11 2003
July 30 1971 - VH-EBA --------Registered -------------------- May 16 2003 - VH-OEJ
City of Canberra -------------- Named ------------------------ Wunala Dreaming
May 6 1993 ------------------- Last Flight to US ------------- 22 July 2020

Apologies for all the 747s in between including you little SPs.
A glorious 49 years. Just like the 707s thanks for the memories.

mustafagander

22nd Jul 2020, 10:37

i.dingbat,

I am reliably informed very steep turns required, hence F190 so F5 can be extended to reduce speed and hence turn radius. Flap limit is F200.

TimmyTee

22nd Jul 2020, 11:10

They got their own logo wrong! Big FU from the planners/pilots to the hot shot marketing gurus in Coward St.

galdian

22nd Jul 2020, 11:34

Interesting that some can't appreciate the moment for what it is - end of an era and an aircraft that, arguably ,had the greatest impact on international air travel and was the QANTAS identity for so long.

Hate to see some of these individuals at a funeral: FFS celebrate the life, don't bitch about the death. ;)

Cheers

PPRuNeUser0182

22nd Jul 2020, 11:47

Absolutely brilliant. Well done!

Bug Smasher Smasher

22nd Jul 2020, 11:56

They got their own logo wrong! Big FU from the planners/pilots to the hot shot marketing gurus in Coward St.
OEJ still has paws.

Keg

22nd Jul 2020, 12:04

They got their own logo wrong! Big FU from the planners/pilots to the hot shot marketing gurus in Coward St.

Or a big FU from the planners/ pilots to the marketing gurus in Coward St? :ok:

V-Jet

22nd Jul 2020, 13:16

Absolutely Keg. A giant finger to the people that caused the problems. The leg isn't quite right, but they did it as Brian of Nazereth would have done it, in letters 10' high:)

PPRuNeUser0201

22nd Jul 2020, 14:12

Capn Bloggs

22nd Jul 2020, 14:27

601

22nd Jul 2020, 14:55

Just about as good as the Marree Man.

Never on the payroll at QF, but I did manage to score a few circuits in the 747 sim in 1980.
Thanks Reg

beachbumflyer

22nd Jul 2020, 17:48

Where are all the aerosexuals?

Certainly interesting watching the footage, and now i believe they're drawing a kangaroo FL190 over the pacific?
What is an aerosexual?

Pugilistic Animus

22nd Jul 2020, 18:01

Just about as good as the Marree Man.

Never on the payroll at QF, but I did manage to score a few circuits in the 747 sim in 1980.
Thanks Reg
I'm green with envy...I think every pilot would love to fly a 747.

Lew747

22nd Jul 2020, 18:33

How many waypoints in the FMS for that?! Tap tap tap quicker, FO (Capt in RHS) Bloggs, the head's coming up!!!!! https://yoursmiles.org/msmile/compgame/m19014.gif (https://yoursmiles.org/m-compgame.php)

Good question...How is this route programmed into the FMS? Many individual coordinates and pseudo waypoints made manually by the flight crew? Or is made by the flight planning dept/ inserted on a nav database to be accessed or uplinked by the crew?

C441

22nd Jul 2020, 22:15

Best ask those in or formerly of QF facing mounting mortgage payments.
Your comments are noted on another forum and those you refer to with mounting personal costs to cover, think it's a brilliant gesture to send off an iconic aircraft for Qantas and aviation as a whole. Thankfully most of these Pilots can still smile and laugh despite the tough times they're living with.

How is this route programmed into the FMS? Many individual coordinates and pseudo waypoints made manually by the flight crew? Or is made by the flight planning dept/ inserted on a nav database to be accessed or uplinked by the crew?
The planning would have been done over some time and the route would have been 'built' as, say, SYDLAX747, then loaded pre-flight, probably in an alternate route so as not to be 'seen' by the inquisitive before being activated in-flight.

Ragnor

22nd Jul 2020, 22:28

I don’t know a Pilot who doesn’t love the 747, shame to see it go.

out of curiosity how were the flight crew picked? Most senior so flying with all Captains of most senior in rank?

blubak

22nd Jul 2020, 22:35

Geezus some of you blokes are hard to please there is no FU to anyone. This is purely what it is, an opportunity to do something cool and historic. There is no scandal, there is no negativity associated with this I assure you. And it’s news to me that the marketing gurus, gmc or anyone in QF (or aviation industry) caused COVID.
.
You are 100% correct,nobody that you have mentioned caused this & to start complaining about the events of the past few days is really pretty inappropriate considering the history of the 747 in qf livery & to all who have spent many years of their careers working in or on this icon.
I was also impressed with AJ & his ability to involve as many as possible.

Fris B. Fairing

23rd Jul 2020, 00:30

I would like to express my personal thanks to the clever, caring people who engineered yesterday’s display of 21st century aerial art, even though we all knew that it was the aeroplane saying goodbye. The day promised to be one of sadness, and it was, but you soothed the sadness and replaced the tears of sadness with tears of pride. Thank you.

zlin77

23rd Jul 2020, 00:49

Ex747

23rd Jul 2020, 03:03

The route was planned out using the Jepp FD Pro app on an iPad and practised in the simulator before hand. Route up-linked to the FMC pre-flight.

Pearly White

23rd Jul 2020, 03:18

Reported on BBC World News this morning, complete with screen shots of Flight Tracker/Radar with the logo, with a global viewing audience of millions I assume it was a pretty good bang for an advertising buck.........
Certainly a lot cheaper than the ads they made where the flew the children's choir all over the world.

Pearly White

23rd Jul 2020, 03:27

They got their own logo wrong! Big FU from the planners/pilots to the hot shot marketing gurus in Coward St.
Are you the bloke who criticised the woodwind section of the orchestra playing on the Titanic as she slipped beneath the waves?

Ex FSO GRIFFO

23rd Jul 2020, 03:39

Absolutely BLOODY BRILLIANT 'departure' msg................

CHEERS....

Bleve

23rd Jul 2020, 03:52

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1100x670/end_of_era_1979e0c041dee2b2eb1e71d0e25794baf056e707.png

John Eacott

23rd Jul 2020, 04:58

The route was planned out using the Jepp FD Pro app on an iPad and practised in the simulator before hand. Route up-linked to the FMC pre-flight.

Here are the waypoints 👍

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/860x960/4a68d9d2_74e7_4a26_9024_b962a4cdb1f6_02383764b08538ae5dabd25 40215680f0a36328f.jpeg

Pugilistic Animus

23rd Jul 2020, 05:08

Here are the waypoints 👍

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/860x960/4a68d9d2_74e7_4a26_9024_b962a4cdb1f6_02383764b08538ae5dabd25 40215680f0a36328f.jpeg
Damn someone has a lot of patience or too much time on their hands...or maybe it was set up by dispatch. I wonder what Clearance Delivery had to say. Nevertheless so cool!

oicur12.again

23rd Jul 2020, 05:45

Hi all

Do any of the QF folk have an eta for Mojave?

I am in the area and would love to get some pics of its arrival and I have been advised it is scheduled to touchdown at 11:30.

But there is much confusion as to which day, thursday (tomorrow here) or Friday! Is it spending one day in LAX or two?

If anyone could help pin it down it would be much appreciated.

cheers

Buster Hyman

23rd Jul 2020, 06:19

Planning already underway for the A380...

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/496x643/a380_2a51551ef75349a24e30e4878d50a865ee803564.jpg

601

23rd Jul 2020, 06:40

I'm green with envy...I think every pilot would love to fly a 747.
The day after on the way to the US for sim training with FSI, I spent an hour or so up the front including the landing into HNL.
Amazing what we could 40 years ago.

C441

23rd Jul 2020, 07:03

Hi all

Do any of the QF folk have an eta for Mojave?

I am in the area and would love to get some pics of its arrival and I have been advised it is scheduled to touchdown at 11:30.

But there is much confusion as to which day, thursday (tomorrow here) or Friday! Is it spending one day in LAX or two?Scheduled 11:00am ex-LAX with an 11:30 arrival VCV Friday morning LAX time…..
If you get any decent shots there's a few here who wouldn't mind seeing 'em!

Ex FSO GRIFFO

23rd Jul 2020, 08:00

:EVery Good 'Buster'.....but its supposed to be WHITE........

Cheers....

Nah... I dunno either....

maggot

23rd Jul 2020, 08:06

Damn someone has a lot of patience or too much time on their hands...or maybe it was set up by dispatch. I wonder what Clearance Delivery had to say. Nevertheless so cool!

hmmm could you possibly imagine any pilots having time on their hands atm...?

well done team

Anti Skid On

23rd Jul 2020, 09:20

This https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jul/22/secrets-of-the-boeing-747-on-board-the-last-qantas-jumbo-jet

pilotbm

23rd Jul 2020, 09:23

Anyone know what the 90 minute delay out of Sydney was about? ETD was originally 1400 local

Plenty of folks flew in to YSHL and were getting nervous about last light.

mustafagander

23rd Jul 2020, 10:23

I am reliably informed that the waypoints for skippy were sorted out and refined in the sim. At least a full day I hear, then into the system for uplink.

RampDog

23rd Jul 2020, 10:41

Buster and Griffo, how's this then?

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/496x643/a380_cee9a7df33e86e2fbda579927ca5ab4227204833.jpg

Section28- BE

23rd Jul 2020, 10:50

Buster and Griffo, how's this then?

'NAILED IT'....!!!! ('skills'- right there, only an opinion.)

rgds all
S28- BE

Capt Fathom

23rd Jul 2020, 11:53

Anyone know what the 90 minute delay out of Sydney was about? ETD was originally 1400 local

I think the hangar celebrations went until 2pm.
It was then towed to a gate to be fuelled. That takes a bit of time.

Capt Kremin

23rd Jul 2020, 12:08

https://scontent.fsyd7-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/110327790_10223238758218066_712701783167789055_n.jpg?_nc_cat =104&_nc_sid=dbeb18&_nc_ohc=VAjN_HYLdSAAX8-MtFe&_nc_ht=scontent.fsyd7-1.fna&oh=d7fa7bf95abb21391bf8eb5dbd7b9a07&oe=5F3E9530

Apologies to all my A380 mates, but its true.

Lookleft

23rd Jul 2020, 23:00

Well done Qantas for the effort that went into this during what is possibly the worst time to farewell an iconic aircraft. Just to remind some of the younger viewers, at one time Qantas was a one type airline. Nowadays thats called the low cost model.

Ex FSO GRIFFO

24th Jul 2020, 01:00

B E W D I F U L L L ...................................

Ta Muchly Mr 'D'........

Cheeerrrsss..........

oicur12.again

24th Jul 2020, 05:56

Scheduled 11:00am ex-LAX with an 11:30 arrival VCV Friday morning LAX time…..
If you get any decent shots there's a few here who wouldn't mind seeing 'em!

Thanks for the info, finally nailed down a day. Friday it is.

And yes, pics will be forthcoming to the best of my . . ahem . . .ability.

towrope

24th Jul 2020, 16:44

I grew up in a Boeing family. I saw the first flights of the 727, 737, 747, 757 and 767. I got to ride on a test flight of an SP that was destined for the Saudi government. We did stalls, very tight turns and all sorts of things I had never before (or since) experienced in any aircraft.
For some reason the mass retirement of the 747 makes me weepy.

Edit: It's just now circling before landing at Mohave according to Flightaware. I hope C441 knew it was going to Mohave.
Update: An era is over now. :{

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/356x310/capture_5f8add4106472c02e50ad752ab671d1ede6b25fa.jpg

oicur12.again

25th Jul 2020, 03:59

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1333/untitled_1_5_88_edit_8d94d007a2e0c74ee9027f8a55896fabea524b6 b.jpg

oicur12.again

25th Jul 2020, 04:45

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1600/f6193aec_a4f5_46b1_8a29_1fca8fd92cd9_c353402fde4ff771428fa17 6d96f9767017a99df.jpeg

oicur12.again

25th Jul 2020, 04:45

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1600/aee757f6_a52c_407a_bd82_fa7408dc008b_368fc11d1887674fff9afb7 f2f948e26f751fba3.jpeg

machtuk

25th Jul 2020, 08:45

A few months from now no one will give this a second thought! Everything ends at some time or another!

Fris B. Fairing

25th Jul 2020, 09:06

A few months from now no one will give this a second thought!

Not everyone!

Section28- BE

25th Jul 2020, 09:21

Mr 'oicur12.again' (https://www.pprune.org/members/337083-oicur12-again)-

Many thanks- and 'Sir', you Do Seriously - HAVE Skills.........

Thank-You- again, and well done You- Magnificent !!!!!!

Rgds
S28- BE

benttrees

25th Jul 2020, 09:30

A few months from now no one will give this a second thought! Everything ends at some time or another!

What a completely pointless post !

Turnleft080

25th Jul 2020, 10:17

Just a brainstorming thought. Could a few of these QF 74s be converted into tankers and base them here. The tech crew and engineers (plenty of them)
would just need fire fighting training, all government or privately sponsored. No doubt they would be used every summer and during our winter they could be utilised
for the southern parts of Europe. i.e. Parts of Greece is burning now. Costly yes, though in the long run worth it.
I think their's 2 DC-10s and 1 or 2 747BCF. You would think the world needs a few more.
Thought I throw in this interesting vid produced by Blancolirio on N744ST on some technical aspects.

https://youtu.be/D-pC7XYHV7s

PPRuNeUser0201

25th Jul 2020, 11:46

Nope, wasn’t uplinked. And was flown a number of times, not just the day prior.

Capn Bloggs

25th Jul 2020, 12:21

https://youtu.be/MYK4hzRBNQY

Capn Bloggs

25th Jul 2020, 12:48

While we're at it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOAzyZypIgk

Fris B. Fairing

26th Jul 2020, 01:10

Appropriate

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x446/kleenex_jumbo_5f55a25afefbfcaf9809bd94703bdc63c892ba71.jpg

megan

26th Jul 2020, 01:37

V-Jet

26th Jul 2020, 06:59

Just 'ER'. Pronounced E.R. Not as in the cockney ' 'er indoors' :)

Transition Layer

26th Jul 2020, 11:49

Six boxes should do it Fris. Question to QF crew, was there a particular name given to the ER to differentiate it from the other 400's, one suggestion I've seen without attribution was "910K". Anoraks need to know.

The “910K” reference is for the MTOW of 910,000lbs, or roughly 413T, versus 397T for the regular -400s.

oicur12.again

27th Jul 2020, 04:17

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1124/e966ac12_0cf3_44de_bf25_9ad0bf0cdc40_464edce915c30dcdce12449 138aa8df970bfbb91.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1600/feb458a1_1e03_468a_a050_4d22897a15dc_8624feade60cf8cc0e875f5 48ac2a5206d985a11.jpeg

langleybaston

27th Jul 2020, 22:28

As SLF many times on QANTAS 747, and as when I saw the Southern Cross from the cockpit, God Bless Qantas, the 747, and Australia.
Dreams fulfilled. Dust in my eyes. I still wear the Qantas watch.

Buster Hyman

27th Jul 2020, 23:26

Terrific Pics oicur12.again, thank you.:ok:

I'm not really across the A380 fleet, but do those two closest have different APU exhaust arrangements? :confused: Perhaps it's just the angle & lighting.

Capn Bloggs

28th Jul 2020, 00:16

Buster, you need a new set of goggles. OQJ's got a nice shiny one=looks different. Nice BIG 1999 pic too, BTW! :D

Buster Hyman

28th Jul 2020, 01:27

Yeah, just the angle & reflection...needed to zoom in. :8

bladerunner66

28th Jul 2020, 03:06

Great photos!..

I have very fond memories of many journeys on the QF Queens as SLF....jagged a few jump seat landings back in the good old pre- 9/11 days. Awesome tech crews who were so welcoming to flight deck visitors with a lot of silly questions :)

ULH Extreme

28th Jul 2020, 03:42

As an old 744 driver, i am curious as to the configurations used when doing the tight corners of the ROO. If one of the drivers of the final flight could fill us in on altitudes, speeds, slat/flap settings for the drawing , it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
ULH

regional_flyer

29th Jul 2020, 11:50

It didn't need to be. They should've bought the 7478 instead of the whale and everyone would still be happy.

The A380 order was placed years before the 747-8 was launched. It wouldn't have happened.

C441

30th Jul 2020, 03:38

It didn't need to be. They should've bought the 7478 instead of the whale and everyone would still be happy.
Whether it was a 380 or a 7478 it would still be in the desert with the same likelihood of returning; everyone still unhappy……..

oicur12.again

31st Jul 2020, 17:10

Thanks for the positive feedback.

The 380 pic was a little tricky, fighting off rattlers and getting the camera above the barbed wire.......

Sad to see them sitting there in the sand but they appear well cared for. QF 380 is still the best non rev seat around.

cheers

601

1st Aug 2020, 02:22

Awesome tech crews who were so welcoming to flight deck visitors with a lot of silly questions
On one trip I had to the flight deck, I was informed that I could only remain there while the Captain was not there. He was not there when I was escorted there by one of the FAs. She came back after an hour or so to tell me that I had to return to my seat as the Captain was returning to the flight deck.

Never saw him/her. Maybe they were someone I knew who I had scrubbed at some earlier stage!

V-Jet

1st Aug 2020, 04:30

The 380 pic was a little tricky, fighting off rattlers and getting the camera above the barbed wire.......

All the Qf jets will feel right at home amongst rattlers. The snakes in Coward St are far more dangerous!

Can't thank you enough for the pics.

VH DSJ

1st Aug 2020, 10:59

Excellent video from Sam Chui of the last flight of VH-OEJ.

https://youtu.be/Y6Z1_T8CTFA

Obba

2nd Aug 2020, 06:24

Excellent video from Sam Chui of the last flight of VH-OEJ.

https://youtu.be/Y6Z1_T8CTFA

Must admit i had a tear in my eye towards the end...

Capn Bloggs

2nd Aug 2020, 06:59

Yes, a ripper video. :D

Buster Hyman

2nd Aug 2020, 07:58

I liked his -200 B T-shirt.

By George

2nd Aug 2020, 09:10

The high point of my career, that aeroplane. I never flew with Qantas (they knocked me back when I was 19!) but I completed both my classic 747 and 744 command training with them. I found their courses excellent and all their Instructors first class.(Shaun Gibb, Ray Dempsy, and on the 400, Pettingell and Jones). 15 years on type with two different operators and on reflection, the safest aeroplane I have ever flown. All the systems were so well designed. If you flew by the book you were always covered. Easy to fly and one of the nicest aeroplanes to land. Fast and great in turbulence, plenty of fuel, you could not ask for more. My only criticism, was no cockpit windows that could be opened and the cockpit itself was no larger than the 727/737.
I have just recently finished my long career on the 737. Typical Boeing, almost idiot proof, but a dog to fly in comparison. Pitch sensitive and very busy for some reason and painfully slow. I salute the Queen, nothing will ever replace that aeroplane. End of an era. Even though I miss line flying, nothing currently flying as the 'latest and the greatest' interests me in the slightest. Plastic fly-by-wire aeroplanes with no soul is the future. The next step is pilotless aircraft (I'll be going to the old folks home via electric bus). So lucky to be in the right spot at the right time. Good Bye Queen and thanks for the memories and thanks to the Boeing Engineers, they got that one just right.

morno

2nd Aug 2020, 11:08

The best part about this whole thread is reading all the past experiences of those who flew them.

I like the Airbus, but no one can deny that the 747 really was THE aeroplane that defined aviation for many years. From the very first 747-100 that was the giant leap in world aviation, through to the ground breaking 747-400 that apparently filled all the gaps of the previous models, and finishing with the 747-8, what an aeroplane.

There was a post on the HARS Facebook page around the time they were about to receive -OJA, about the massive leap forward in technology and capability of the -400 compared to the classics, an interesting read.

My boys couldn’t care less about my aircraft, they only know the 747 :ok: