Bye bye 747

Here's an article about it:

The DC-8 Supersonic Flight

 

Well, my friend (usually pretty reliable) is sure that a C-990 did exceed M-1; he'll look for documentation. I found nothing.

I suppose it's possible, the C-990 was the fastest of the bunch (C-880, 707, DC-8 and the Euro jets).

 

Interesting, I guess turbojet engines and early turbo fans can take the airflow. My guess is a modern high bypass fanjet is optimiesed for certain speeds and would act more like a barn door if you tried to go beyond 650 or so mph.

Those older jets sure were fast, I think a convair 880 went Ny to Miami in something like 1hr 45, but probably burned as much fuel as a 747 doing it. I imagine the modern planes are a much safer proposition and staisticaly than those gen 1 jets, between engine reliability and systems.

Flew a lot of 727's 707's and Vc10's as a kid. Also recently went in a 737 100, that was one loong noisy takeoff roll. Its amazing how undramtic a modern 737 is in comparisson.

 

Pretty sure Bob the 747 has triple slotted flaps, until the -8. I could be wrong though.

I thought by the title of this thread that Boeing was pulling the plug on the 747. It looks like the article is referring to no more 747's in Japan. Anyways, tough times for the 47.

 

My understanding is that they will generally flame out at those speeds, but I don't know for sure.

You are absolutely right that the big fans are optimal for slower speeds, though.

 

I think that you are correct, Don. Great big slow moving fan blades would turn into a barn door and nothing at super sonic speed would get by them.

 

Yes 747 not going away juts less and less use for passengers as the -400s get older. I think they are replaced by 777s or 380's. Too much or too little pane, or just wrong sze given the competition.

Maybe when some airlines learn the fatigue life of the 380 the passenger -8 will geta new lease on life. For a passenger a 747 is the best ride, esp if you are in the front or top deck.

I think there are a bunch of -8's being made as private air yachts and vip transports..

 

Another thing hurting the 747 is there are more point to point flights today that have fewer passengers and therefore are only profitable with smaller capacity planes.

 

Lou, I seem to recall that the 747 didn't need the triple slotted flap because it wasn't going into short fields that required the extra performance. I could be wrong about this, after all, it's been 45 years that I was at work on that airplane. I sure would like to meet you some day. I'd like to meet everyone in this forum, as a matter of fact.

 

Looks like there is going to be a big Ferrari gathering on the 19th and 20th of July.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/northwest/438785-ferrari-concours-d-elegance-sunday-july-20-2014-a.html

Maybe we could do a get together in conjunction with this weekend.

 

I'll try to be there.

 

You aren't wrong , Lou. I am. The 747 does indeed have triple slotted flaps. I believe that I was thinking about the 747 SP that has double slotted flaps.