Northwest Aerospace News April | May 2019 Issue No. 8 | Page 20

B
oeing introduced quadruple hydraulic systems, redundant structures and
four main landing gear (the plane is able to operate on two). Boeing also rein-
vented pilot training, moving away from strictly procedural training to behavior-
al training.
It did not take long for the 747 to have a giant impact on air travel. It was the
must-have flagship for the world’s airlines and attracted travelers with its luxury
and passenger appeal. But it was the Super Jet’s size, world-spanning range,
capacity and economy that had the greatest impact, making it possible for all of
humanity to fly. With that, the 747 will forever mark the point in history when
any person on planet earth could fly anywhere on the globe. By July 1970, one
million passengers had flown on the 747 — the Super Jet was shrinking the
world.
The 747 quickly became the icon of commercial aviation. It was the first air-
plane with two aisles. Most who fly have no idea what type airplane they are on,
but the 747’s size and its distinctive hump make the plane readily recognizable.
That distinctive shape is a result of the art that is inherent in great engineering.
Its design is often recognized as an outstanding work of architecture. The 747
has also become a part of popular culture, starring in numerous movies, TV
shows and in the lyrics of songs.
As the 747’s role continues, it provides a service that the original designers
foresaw and optimized — the 747 performs as the world’s finest freighter. The
Queen will be with us for decades to come — a testament to an airplane that was
built to last.
Over the last fifty years, the 747 has become legendary. Today it remains a bridge
to a romantic era of flight, an era that we should continue to aspire to resurrect.
But more than that, the 747 is a reminder of the power of the human spirit and
what we can accomplish with our hearts, minds and hard work. It reminds us
that even though we may sometimes lose hope in a world that seems filled with
strife, we can turn our eyes to the skies and see those great contrails of the Queen
of the Skies crossing the heavens and know that we can still overcome great
adversity and accomplish incredible things.
Learn more at:
www.watchusfly.com
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