What is zone a in the Boeing 747. Military modifications and aircraft of heads of state

The double-decker giant of the aviation industry is one of the unique aircraft. It was developed back in the mid-eighties, and was already popular then. Today, Rossiya Airlines passengers can board this aircraft. Let's take a look at the aircraft's parameters, determine the Boeing 747's capacity and the best seats in the cabin.

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This model entered service in 1985. When developing this airliner, the designers took the Boeing 747 300 project as a basis, repeating its unique modification. The new aircraft received recognition due to its more economical fuel consumption and improved noise insulation. In addition, until 2005, the capacity of the Boeing 747 was the largest among all aircraft that existed at that time in the world. The cabin of this giant can accommodate 524 people.

Unfortunately for Boeing, in 2005 Airbus released its new A380 airliner, which today is the leader in the number of seats in the cabin.

The Boeing 747 400 we are considering, whose capacity today ranks second after the Airbus A380, has the following technical characteristics:

1. Length: 70.6 meters.
2. Wingspan: 64.4 m.
3. Cruising speed: 885 km/h.
4. Maximum range: 14205 km.

A unique feature of the liner is its engines (4 pieces), which produce minimal noise. In total, the Boeing company produced 1,358 such aircraft until 2009, which are successfully operated by various airlines around the world. Despite the fact that the ship has not been produced for 8 years, even today it is one of the most popular among Boeings.

Russian airlines that own the Boeing 747 400

The aircraft's capacity makes it popular, including in Russia. Until 2015, only Transaero could boast of having this aircraft in its fleet. However, as you know, on September 13, 2017, the company was declared bankrupt by the Arbitration Court of St. Petersburg. Consequently, the bankruptcy procedure was put into effect. All 7 aircraft went to Rossiya Airlines. It is she who is currently the only owner of aircraft of this class.

The airline offers its passengers 4 modifications of aircraft:

1. 4 aircraft with 522 passenger seats.
2. 2 aircraft with seats in the amount of 477 pieces.
3. One model for 461 seats.

And although it was said above that the maximum capacity of the Boeing 747 is 524 people, there are fewer seats in the indicated modifications. This is logical, since the total number of available seats is determined by the class and the number of luxury seats. Such chairs require more space compared to the standard version. Actually, now we can move on to considering the layout of these sides.

Layout

Before a flight, many passengers try to find the best seats on a Boeing 747 to make their flight as comfortable as possible. This is by no means a useless exercise, because there really are more comfortable and successful places in the cabin.

The lower tier of the ship has 470 seats - all of them belong to the tourist class. To put it simply, these are economy class seats and their prices are usually low.

In a standard cabin, several variations of seat configurations are possible, but the basic layout here is 3:4:3. The rear cabin may use a 2:4:2 layout, while the front of the aircraft may use a 2:3:2 layout. Note that the most inconvenient places are located in the tail due to the location of the toilet nearby. They are never in demand because people are constantly passing by them, and the queues nearby can be annoying.

The seats that are located in the middle block along the axis of the aircraft are considered quite comfortable. In this sector, many passengers work comfortably without being distracted by other people. You can even sleep there, but it is worth considering that there are no portholes near these places, so it is unlikely that you will be able to enjoy the beautiful view from the window. But this does not play a big role if the flight is at night.

There are 3 blocks of bathrooms on the lower deck: in the tail, between lines 43 and 44, and also at rows 20-22. Between sectors 31-35 and 54-59 there are food blocks and dressing rooms, so chairs with such extensions are clearly not the best choice. Oh yes, at line 31 there is a descent from the upper tier, along which people can walk from time to time.

On the uppermost deck, the first three rows are intended for passengers who have purchased business class tickets, and in lines 5-9 there are seats in the advanced economy category. In the bow of the aircraft on the upper deck there is a platform on which there is a staircase to the common salon and two blocks of restrooms. This is exactly what the layout of this airliner looks like. In the diagram above, you can see the location of all the seats and choose the most optimal arrangement for yourself.

Features of choice

Given the huge capacity of the Boeing 747, choosing a seat for a passenger becomes difficult. Before buying a ticket, it is advisable to estimate how comfortable the future seat may be or, on the contrary, inconvenient. Remember that Rossiya Airlines has 7 aircraft of this type, which may differ in different layouts (three layouts are available), so at the registration stage it is advisable to clarify this question and, if necessary, ask the employee to provide a seat by the window, for example, or away from the bathroom . Typically, airport employees at check-in counters are willing to meet passengers halfway and provide seats that passengers request. Of course, you can choose seats within the ticket class. For a more accurate representation of the interior details, it is necessary to consider the arrangement of seats.

Upper tier

Considering the enormous capacity of the Boeing 747 400, the cabin manages to accommodate comfort and economy class seats. The best ones are always on the top deck. The first lines are reserved for passengers with business class tickets, and a little further (rows 5-9) there are less comfortable seats for customers who prefer an economical flight. However, in any case, seats on the upper deck are more expensive than those on the lower deck. Note that the seats in business class are paired, each of them is made taking into account ergonomic criteria, so you can truly relax here. These chairs are quite wide, the backs recline, there are displays, and the distance between the sectors is quite large. For all these benefits, passengers are willing to pay extra, and quite a bit.

The seats in the very first row especially stand out, because there is a lot of space in front of these seats. The disadvantage is the location in close proximity to the bathroom; all passengers will go to it through these places.

From the fifth to the ninth lines there are comfortable economy class seats. The most comfortable seats are on the fifth line, as there is a lot of legroom due to the large distance to the screen that separates business class. This sector has displays in the seats, a tilting function is available on the backrests, and the free space between the seats is 75 cm.

There are standard seats in rows 6-9, but passengers planning a flight are strictly not recommended to choose seats in the ninth row. Behind the back of these seats there is a staircase and a bathroom, which can cause inconvenience during the flight.

Lower tier

The main cabin of the lower compartment starts from the 10th row. Seats from 10 to 11 lines are located in pairs, so the airline classifies them as an increased comfort class. Most often, tickets for these seats are purchased by families with children. On line 12, seats are arranged according to the 2:3 principle, and seats 12 with the designations “L”, “K”, “H” require increased payment.

In rows 14-16, seats are arranged according to the classic 3:3 scheme, and in lines 17-19 - according to the 2:3:2 scheme. When choosing seats in these rows, it is worth noting that an additional payment is possible for seats 14 “A”, “B”, “C” and 17 “E”, “F”. Of course, these are comfortable, comfortable seats, but behind row 19 there are escape hatches. Consequently, the backrests of the seats in this row are not equipped with an adjustment function at all, which should be taken into account when reserving these seats.

For the same reason, it is not advisable to buy tickets for seats in rows 29, 43, 54, since it will not be possible to recline the seat due to the proximity of technical blocks, hatches and bathrooms. The flight experience can deteriorate sharply when choosing such seats in the cabin.

There are restrooms near the seats in rows 20-22 (“D”, “E”, “G”, “A”, “B” and “C”), which will not bring pleasure to tourists from the flight. But seats “D”, “E”, “G”, “H” and “K” in sector 29 are located near the emergency exit - you have to pay extra for them, but there is a lot of space around them, which will allow you to sit comfortably. And being closer to the emergency exit during an emergency is an added bonus. Also, seats “D”, “E”, “G” and “F”, located on line 23, would be a good choice.

The next block begins from row 31. Here, the blocking of the backrests and the close location of the bathroom can be called an inconvenience. There are also stairs and hatches nearby, but all the negativity can be compensated by the large space nearby. But the only seat in this row has a curved seat (very uncomfortable) due to being located near the emergency exit. It is uncomfortable, although there is a lot of space around.

The best choices are chairs “D”, “E”, “G” and “F”. They are quite comfortable, but in front of them there is a staircase along which people will constantly go up/down. And the seats in rows 32-34 are located near the bathroom, so people in those seats constantly complain about the noise. It is unlikely that you will be able to sleep there.

It is also undesirable to choose seats on lines 43, 54, 70 and 71. Due to the location of the emergency exit, the backrests on these seats cannot be adjusted, which causes discomfort during the flight. Rows 44 and 55 are also located near the toilet, but this disadvantage is compensated by more legroom. If you choose seats at the very end of the cabin, you should take into account that there is a restroom and service rooms there. Naturally, the backrests will not recline either.

Despite the fact that the Boeing 747 cabin capacity is huge, the designers were unable to create the same conditions for the flight for everyone. Even seats for the same price can vary greatly in terms of comfort and convenience during the flight.

When purchasing a ticket on the airline’s official website, you can find the necessary form to familiarize yourself with the layout of this board. If you wish, you can call the airline manager, who will not refuse to help you choose a suitable seat. It is advisable to notify the employee of personal preferences and desire to sit, for example, near the window.

You should not buy a ticket for a seat that is located near the service premises. Usually, queues form near such premises and people are constantly moving, which creates unnecessary noise. It is necessary to reserve seats where you can recline your back and stretch your legs - this is very important during a long flight.

A very bad option is to book a seat next to the partition. And if the flight is planned for the morning or in good weather, then it is advisable to reserve a seat near the window in order to enjoy the scenery outside the window during the flight.

Considering how large the capacity of the Boeing 747 aircraft is, the layout of the seats on the airliner needs to be studied in more detail. There you can determine better zones and places, the location of technical blocks, restrooms. Try to choose a place away from these premises. Remember that this may determine your overall flight experience. In addition, good conditions are especially important for people who are afraid to fly. After all, comfort reduces passenger stress and nervous tension. After a flight, a person can get off the plane full of energy, or he can be severely exhausted by the constant noise.

Indeed, the passenger capacity of the Boeing 747 allows this aircraft to be used on the busiest flights. The carrier does its best to ensure that its boards are filled with people as much as possible, so you should not count on the fact that the plane will be half empty and you will be able to take any seat. This happens extremely rarely with huge liners of this level.

How to buy a ticket cheaper?

When there are only a few days left before a flight, and many tickets are not sold out, the airline offers big discounts even on business class seats. Therefore, keep an eye on the number of available tickets, and if there are a lot of them left, you can hold off on purchasing. There is a possibility that discounts will appear soon.

Occupying the wrong place

If it suddenly turns out that you have chosen a bad seat in which you are uncomfortable, and there is a more comfortable chair nearby, then you can safely change to it. It is unlikely that the flight attendants will ask you to go to your seat. But even in this case, you can ask permission to change place by complaining about discomfort.

Of course, you can only take an empty seat within your class, although according to reviews from some passengers it is clear that sometimes it is even possible to take a seat in a higher class if there are no people there.

Other aircraft with similar passenger capacity

The Boeing 747 400 has competitors that also boast enormous capacity. The very first in the world is the Airbus A380 - a double-deck aircraft that is capable of carrying 525 passengers in three classes of cabins. There is a configuration of this aircraft that can accommodate only economy seats. This configuration provides 853 seats. The flight range is 15,400 km.

Less interesting is the Boeing 747 800 with a capacity of 581 passengers with two classes in the cabin. There is also a modification with a cabin divided into two or three classes, which can accommodate 467 passengers.

However, Rossiya Airlines does not have such aircraft. The Boeing 747 400, with a passenger capacity of up to 552 people, is the only modification that leads in this parameter among other models.

Finally

The capacity of the Boeing 747 makes anyone wonder. Despite the fact that the aircraft was created a long time ago, even today it is one of the largest and most advanced airliners in the world. Traveling on it is a pleasure, even when boarding in economy class. Unfortunately, not all airlines can purchase such aircraft. Some low-cost airlines simply do not need them due to the lack of such huge passenger traffic. The maximum capacity of the Boeing 747 400 "Russia" allows these aircraft to be placed only on the busiest routes, which makes it possible to load the airliners to the maximum. Naturally, the more people buy a ticket for a flight, the more money the company can make.

Boeing 747 is a four-engine wide-body airliner developed by Boeing in the late 1960s. Received the unofficial name “Jumbo Jet”, and also differing from its analogues by the “hump” in the front part of the fuselage, this aircraft is one of the most recognizable and famous airliners in the world. Launched in 1970 and featuring a second full-fledged passenger deck, the aircraft was the most spacious passenger airliner in the world for 37 years. As of 2017, the Boeing 747-8 generation is in production.

Story

Origins of the program

In 1963, the US Air Force began research to create a large strategic transport aircraft. The C-141 Starlifter created at that time was a good aircraft, but could not fully satisfy the needs of the military - a much more spacious transport was needed. In 1964, the Pentagon published a package of requirements for the CX-HLS program (CX - Heavy Logistics System). What was needed was an aircraft capable of transporting up to 81.6 tons of cargo at speeds of up to 800 km/h at a distance of up to 9,300 km. The cargo compartment had to be at least 5.18 meters wide, 4.11 meters high and 30 meters long, and also be able to be loaded both through the tail and through the nose.

It was assumed that the plane would be four-engine. In addition, a program was launched to create new, much more powerful engines, since the ones available at that time would not have been able to cope with the task.

The tender participants included Boeing, Douglas, General Dynamics, Lockheed and Martin Marietta. The engines were developed by General Electric, Curtiss-Wright and Pratt & Whitney. During the selection process, General Dynamics and Martin Marietta, as well as Curtiss-Wright, withdrew from the race.

One of the big challenges for the developers was the requirement for loading cargo from the front. This meant that the standard layout of aircraft, primarily cockpit placement, would not work. The problem was solved by all companies in the same way - the cabin was raised into the upper part of the fuselage with the actual creation of the upper deck. Douglas had a small hump for the cockpit, Lockheed made the second deck narrow and low but stretched it almost the entire length of the plane, like a spine, and Boeing made a larger hump behind the cockpit that ended near the leading edge of the wing.

Commercial need

Despite the initial military order for large transport, this aircraft also had good potential in the passenger version. The end of the 1960s was a period of rapid growth in air travel - the number of passengers grew so quickly that the flagship airliners Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 could hardly cope with their roles.

Even at the stage of developing the CX-HLS program, Juan Trippe, the president of Pan American (Pan Am), the largest operator of 707 models, demanded the creation of a new passenger aircraft of greater capacity. He stated that increasing the number of 707s in his fleet does not solve the problem, and in the long term, overcrowding of flights could lead to the collapse of air travel.

In September 1965, the CX-HLS tender ended in victory for Lockheed, resulting in the creation of the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy transport. But the loser Boeing decided not to abandon its developments.

The project to create a passenger aircraft based on the CX-HLS was led by one of the members of the Boeing 737 development team, Joe Sutter. He launched extensive research work together with airlines to determine the requirements for the future 747 model. Moreover, the aircraft had to retain its cargo transport capabilities, since at that time it was believed that many passenger airliners would eventually be replaced by supersonic aircraft. Therefore, its exotic overhead cockpit and hump layout was retained, although the wing was moved from the top of the fuselage down to the classic format.

In 1966, Boeing received the first order for 25 Boeing 747 airliners from Pan Am for $525 million. As the launch customer and one of the initiators, Pan Am had a fairly large influence on the process of creating the airliner.

Description: Boeing 747 - history and description of the legendary flagship

Development

Initially, not all developments on the CX-HLS were used to create the Boeing 747. It was assumed that the aircraft would have two full decks along the entire length of the fuselage. The decks were supposed to accommodate 8 seats in a row and have 2 aisles. However, this scheme did not allow passengers to be evacuated quickly enough in case of accidents, and the cargo compartment did not accommodate the luggage needed by so many people. As a result, it was decided to narrow and shorten the upper deck, as was the case on the transport version - the “hump” design was approved. Having abandoned the large upper deck, the developers were unsure for some time what to do with the space above. At first, it was planned to place a recreation and entertainment area for passengers there.

One of the most important innovations that allowed the airliner to appear was the creation of powerful jet engines with a high bypass ratio. This technology assumed that the engines would become almost twice as powerful as their old counterparts and a third more economical. General Electric was the pioneer in this area, but they made engines specifically for the C-5 Galaxy. For the future Boeing 747, this work was taken up by the second market leader - Pratt & Whitney with their promising JT9D.

The issue of reliability was very serious - the crash of such an airliner carried many more potential casualties than any other aircraft. Boeing used a fault tree analysis technique, which assessed the condition of the aircraft under any conditions and under any possible failures.

In addition, adapting the aircraft to the infrastructure was a major challenge. It was necessary to make sure that the airliner could operate at airfields built for smaller aircraft. For this purpose, the most effective wing mechanization at that time was developed with almost the entire length of the slats and double-slotted flaps, which, when fully extended, increased the wing area by 21% and the lift by 90%.

The agreement with Pan Am called for the first delivery in 1969. Development took only 28 months. Sutter's team worked so hard and faced so many challenges that Boeing gave them the nickname "The Incredibles." At the same time, the risks were so great that the management was accused of adventurism and of putting the entire company at stake.

Production site

Another problem was the plant. Boeing did not have a suitable site to produce such a large aircraft, so it had to build an entirely new plant. Selecting from 50 potential locations, the company found a suitable site 50 kilometers north of Seattle in the area military base Paine Field near Everett. In 1966, the company bought a plot of 320 hectares and began construction.

Building a plant was no less a challenge than building an airplane. To level the site, about 3 million cubic meters of rock had to be removed, and to determine the dimensions of the internal premises, Boeing built a full-size mock-up of the Boeing 747. As a result, the company's current main plant is the largest in terms of internal volume in the world. Now it is there that all Boeing wide-body airliners are manufactured.

Aircraft creation and testing

Most of the aircraft's elements were tested during the development stage. Mock-ups of aircraft cabins were created to practice evacuation. Despite the fact that the developers abandoned a full-fledged upper deck, the evacuation did not fit into the 90-second limit set by the FAA. In addition, volunteers portraying passengers periodically received injuries, especially during evacuation from the upper deck. This problem was resolved after hundreds of tests. Another problem was moving the aircraft around the airfield. To train the first crews, even before the creation of the aircraft itself, the so-called “Waddell’s Wagon” (named after chief pilot Jack Waddle) was used. In fact, it was a mock-up cockpit mounted on a truck.

On September 30, 1968, the first Boeing 747 prototype had a rollout ceremony at the new Everett plant, in the presence of employees, journalists and representatives of 26 airline customers. In February 1969, the aircraft made its first flight.

Further tests were focused primarily on the main problems of such a large airliner. A wing with a very large span was susceptible to "twisting" under certain conditions. This was combated by adjusting the design and strengthening some elements. Quite serious risks of flutter were solved in a much more complex manner, up to the installation of a stabilizing mass in the tail of the aircraft - cargo made of depleted uranium. This was a temporary solution that caused a lot of controversy, especially after the crash of the El Al airliner in Amsterdam, when debris from the tail with 282 kg of uranium had to be searched in the ruins.

But the main problem of the test program was the JT9D engines. The sizes of fans and turbines have grown significantly, and coupled with the increased load, this has led to a significant reduction in service life and constant deformation. Because of this, deliveries were delayed for several months, and dozens of aircraft were parked at the plant, awaiting completed and certified engines. However, the problems were resolved and Boeing managed to send the plane to Paris, where in the summer of 1969 it was presented at the Le Bourget air show. Finally, by the end of that year, the aircraft received FAA certification.

The project of creating an aircraft and building a plant turned out to be extremely expensive. By the time serial deliveries began, Boeing had accumulated a huge amount of debt, which almost brought the company to the brink of bankruptcy. Later, the then president admitted that the Boeing 747 was a real gamble, which, fortunately, he managed to win.

Start of operation

In January 1970, the first Boeing 747 was handed over to Pan Am in a ceremony attended by US First Lady Pat Nixon. The plane made its first flight from New York to London.

The model was quite slow to come to market, mainly due to the fact that many airports were still unable to accept it. However, this problem, as well as periodic difficulties with reliability, turned out to be solvable. After Pan Am received the plane, its competitors were also in a hurry to get a new flagship, which spurred demand. There were even disputes that airlines wanted this aircraft not so much for efficiency, but for status.

Design

The Boeing 747 is a four-engine, wide-body airliner with two passenger decks. The wing is swept, adapted for flights at speeds up to 950 km/h. The increased sweep also allows the wingspan to be reduced to accommodate standard ground infrastructure.

The main deck passenger cabin at the base assumes a 3+4+3 layout in economy class and 2+3+2 in business class with two aisles between the rows.

The upper deck, located in front of the fuselage, resembles a hump. The upper deck salon is narrower and has a 3+3 salon in economy and 2+2 in business with one aisle between the rows. Initially, the hump was quite short, but already in the -100B version, the aircraft could optionally have an extended upper deck (this option became standard for the -300 version). Even more upper deck was lengthened in the extreme modification of the Boeing 747-8I (in fact, the upper deck capacity of this model became close to the cabin capacity of the Boeing 737).

The pilot's cabin is located in the bow of the upper deck. The cockpit is designed for two pilots and is equipped with all modern control systems. In addition, in the upper part of the cabin there is also a spare emergency hatch in case of evacuation without the ability to leave the aircraft through the cabin.

The maximum take-off weight of the aircraft constantly grew from version to version: from 333 tons in the -100 model to 448 tons in the -8 model. The range also increased from 8600 km to 14300 km.

The times when the Boeing 747 was created have left their mark on it to this day. The liner has many elements that were necessary then, but not so important now. Sometimes these elements are redundant and somewhat degrade the performance.

For example, back in the late 1960s, the aircraft was designed with highly developed wing mechanization. This was necessary to ensure a minimum speed when landing on insufficiently long runways. But now airports have been adapted and are able to receive airliners without problems. As a result, such advanced mechanization is no longer so necessary.

Another interesting point: the Boeing 747 is certified to fly with three engines. That is, even if one of the aircraft’s engines fails during takeoff, it will be able to continue its flight to its destination as usual. At one time, Boeing had plans to create a three-engine version, but they were abandoned.

And the most interesting thing is the redundant chassis characteristics. In the early 1970s, the plane was often too heavy for the runway. Therefore, its main support has four posts at once in order to distribute the weight more evenly. Now, airliners of similar weight have landing gear with two main landing gear. And four supports are redundant. At the moment, the Boeing 747 is able to make a successful landing even if the two ventral struts remain in place.

Modifications

After releasing the basic version of the Boeing 747-100, the company created the -100B version with an increased maximum take-off weight, as well as the -100SR (Short Range) version with a reduced range and increased passenger capacity. The -200 modification appeared in 1971 and was equipped with more powerful engines and increased take-off weight. The 747-200 already had passenger and cargo variants. In addition, on its basis in 1976, a special Boeing 747SP was created with an increased flight range, but a shortened fuselage.

The Boeing 747 line received its addition in 1980 with the 747-300 model. The -300 series was the result of research into increasing capacity. The 747-300 model received an extended upper deck, increased capacity, and also increased cruising speed. The -300 model also had versions with increased range, as well as cargo options.

In 1985, Boeing began large-scale work to modernize the airliner and create the 747-400 model. This aircraft was supposed to have a glass cockpit, a crew reduced to two people, lightweight construction materials and updated interiors. The project did not develop without difficulties. A bunch of latest technologies did not achieve the required reliability parameters, and the company experienced a shortage of engineering personnel. The Boeing 747-400 was introduced to the market in 1989.

Since the introduction of the Boeing 747-400 airliner, it was planned to create several variants with extended fuselages. In 1996, Boeing announced the -500X and -600X models. However, the high cost of development and low interest from customers forced these projects to be curtailed.

In 2000, Boeing began research on the 747X to remain competitive with the A3XX airliner, which was being developed by Airbus. However, this project did not gain any interest and the company switched to work on the Sonic Cruiser transonic airliner project (which, in turn, was also canceled in favor of the 787 Dreamliner project). Some of the developments from the early 747X have found their way into the 747-400ER.

Announcing programs and then canceling them did not help the company's reputation; experts began to be skeptical of Boeing's claims. However, in 2004, Boeing resumed the 747 modernization project and started all work. The new project was named Boeing 747-8.

The fuselage of the new model was 5.6 meters longer than its predecessors, making it the longest in the line. The capacity of the upper deck has reached the capacity of the Boeing 737. The power plant - four new General Electric GEnx-2B67 engines - has made the airliner more economical and environmentally friendly. The flight deck has many elements of the Boeing 787 cockpit.

The cargo version of the 747-8F has become 16% more spacious than cargo models based on the 747-400. The carrying capacity reached 140 tons, which is a record for production aircraft and is second only to the An-225 aircraft. Like all cargo models, the 747-8F has front loading capability with a retractable nose.

The passenger version, called the 747-8I Intercontinental (as once one of the versions of the Boeing 707) can carry up to 467 passengers in cabins with a 3-class layout for a range of up to 15,000 kilometers. This plane is the longest in the world. The first airliner was handed over Lufthansa airlines in 2012.

Special modifications

Based on the Boeing 747, several special versions were also created that were not serial:

Boeing 747 LCF(Large Cargo Freighter) Dreamlifter is a special transport aircraft with a significantly enlarged fuselage and large internal cargo volume. Designed specifically for transporting large-sized elements of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (hence the name). The aircraft made its first flight in 2006. Several such aircraft are in operation.

C-19 — modification of the Boeing 747-100, created for the US Air Force. Later, the aircraft were transferred to the Civil Reserve Airlift Fleet.

VC-25— VIP aircraft of the US Air Force, created on the basis of the Boeing 747-200B. Two such aircraft, modified VC-25A with tail numbers 28000 and 29000, are used to transport the President of the United States and are known as Air Force One. The salon was designed in accordance with the requirements of Nancy Reagan in the late 1980s. The aircraft were introduced into service in 1990 under the presidency of George H. W. Bush.

E-4B- a strategic air command post designed to control the armed forces and the US nuclear triad along with the E-6 based on the Boeing 707. 4 such aircraft were created.

YAL-1- experimental aerial platform of the anti-missile laser missile defense system. It was dismantled in 2014.

Boeing 747 SCA(Shuttle Carrier Aircraft) - two 747-100 aircraft were converted and used by NASA to transport the Space Shuttle.

S-33- military transport aircraft. It was intended to complement the C-17 fleet, but the project was scrapped in favor of upgrading the C-5 and expanding the C-17 fleet.

KC-33A- an aerial tanker project deployed as a competitor to the DC-10-30 project in the 1970s. Iran (before the Islamic Revolution) bought 4 of these tankers, which are probably still in use today.

Boeing 747 CMCA(Cruise Missile Carrier Aircraft) is a modification for the US Air Force, created during the development of the B-1 Lancer strategic bomber. Such an aircraft could carry from 50 to 100 AGM-86 cruise missiles. The project was canceled in favor of the B-1 bombers.

Boeing 747 A.A.C.- an aircraft carrier project developed by Boeing. The aircraft was intended to have a constellation of 10 light fighters that would be launched, refueled and re-equipped by the mother aircraft. The project was discontinued in the mid-1970s, although it was considered quite feasible.

Boeing 747 Evergreen Supertanker— modification of the 747-200 model to provide firefighting from the air. The aircraft can hold up to 76 tons of water.

Boeing 747 SOFIA(Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) is a former Pan Am Boeing 747SP. Equipped with a research facility and a large infrared telescope, the aircraft is used by NASA and DLR (German Aerospace Center).

Exploitation

In total, between 1968 and August 2017, 1,533 aircraft of the Boeing 747 family were produced. As of 2017, 489 aircraft are in operation, most of them (370) are models 747-400, and another 106 aircraft are model 747-8. The aircraft are operated by 65 airlines around the world.

In addition, some aircraft are made in the VIP modification and are used as aircraft for the heads of state of Bahrain, India, Iran, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE. Several more VIP boards are used by private customers.

The Boeing 747 holds the record for single passenger transport. During the 1991 operation to evacuate Ethiopian refugees to Israel, one plane carried 1,122 people.

Boeing 747 airliners were involved in 146 accidents and incidents, 61 of which resulted in aircraft destruction and loss of life. In total, 3,722 people died in plane crashes. Airplanes were hijacked and hijacked 32 times. Also, the largest plane crash in the history of aviation occurred on the island of Tenerife, when two Boeing 747 airliners collided on the runway (then 583 people died, another 61 were injured, but survived).

Despite all the upgrades, the shrinking market for large, four-engine airliners, as well as the competitive pressure of the A380, constantly reduced demand for the Boeing 747. In 2016, the company reduced production to six aircraft per year, and one of the main modification programs was the creation of a new Aircraft no. 1 US President based on the Boeing 747-8I with its entry into service by 2020.

Given very low demand, Boeing is considering completely curtailing production of the Boeing 747 by 2019.

June 04, 2012 No comments

Tourists who often fly on long-haul routes leave numerous reviews about the Boeing 747-200. This aircraft has been successfully used on Russian airlines for a long time. Designed for long-distance flights, it flies to the Far East. Also used on many overseas routes. Aeroflot, Transaero and other airlines are successfully using this not entirely new Boeing model. Its production ended in 1991, but many cars are still in excellent condition. Many passengers, given the opportunity to choose, prefer these aircraft.

It should be noted that passenger reviews of the Boeing 747-200 airliner are the most contradictory. Most often this is not due to the make of the car, but to its age. If we consider that the first Boeing 474-200 began operating in the early 70s, then many of them have quite a long service record. Some of the vehicles began to be used for freight transportation, but those that are used have undergone major overhauls and are now on par with younger models.

Boeing 747-200 cabin layout (seat layout)

Upper deck:
Business class is the most comfortable and convenient cabin of the aircraft:

— 12 wide folding sleep chairs

— 2 rows — for each passenger individual monitors for viewing video programs, an individual control panel for audio and video programs, an expanded range of drinks, two hot meals a day, blankets and pillows for each passenger, an amenity kit.

Lower deck:
Business class is the most comfortable and convenient cabin on the lower deck:
16 wide chairs
2 rows - for each passenger individual monitors for viewing video programs, an individual control panel for audio and video programs, a footrest under the seat, an expanded range of drinks, two hot meals, blankets and pillows for each passenger, an amenity kit.

Also, on the lower deck there is an economy class:

440 seats
3 rows
4 seats in the middle row, 3 seats in the outer rows, next to the windows, for each passenger individual monitors for viewing video programs on the backs of the seats in front, individual control panel for audio and video programs, soft and alcoholic drinks, two hot meals a day, amenity kit .

The total number of passengers in a three-class cabin is 366 people, in a two-class cabin - 452. The maximum number of passengers is 490, plus 3 crew members.

Flight characteristics of Boeing 747-200:

— cruising at an altitude of 10,600 m — 895 (0.84) km/h
— maximum — 942 km/h
— vertical ceiling, m — 13,720
— flight range, km with maximum fuel reserve — 12,150 (12,700)
— flight range with 452 passengers and luggage (with fuel reserves) — 10,670 km.

Dimensions and mass indicators of the aircraft:
— aircraft length, m — 70.66
— wingspan, m — 59.64
— aircraft height, m ​​— 19.33
— fuselage diameter, m — 6.5
— wing area, m2 — 510.9

The takeoff weight of the Boeing 747-200 reaches about 374,850 kg, and the landing weight is 285,700 kg. The empty weight of the aircraft is 169,700 kg, without fuel - 238,800. Payload - 69.1 tons. Typical fuel capacity - 199,158 liters, maximum - 204,360 liters. This model also has 5 cargo pallets, 14 LD-1 containers, weighing 155.6 kg.

The best seats in the Boeing 747-200 cabin, in the opinion of experts, are located in the rear of the plane, as well as the first rows from emergency exits- No. 31B, No. 31C, No. 31D.

Some passengers notice some trembling in the upholstery when landing. But this is not observed on all flights. Obviously, the technical condition of the machines has an effect. When studying passengers' opinions about the Boeing 474-200, the first thing you notice is the difference in the description of the cabins. Some talk about spacious places, others about cramped spaces. It all depends on the carrier company and the requirements they place on the cabin equipment. To avoid getting into an awkward position, it is advisable to inquire before purchasing tickets how many passengers the plane can take on board. The higher the number, the more cramped the interior will be. This is the pattern.

Over more than a century of world aviation history, thousands of modifications of military and civil aircraft for various purposes have been developed and built. Among them there are airplanes that become rulers of the skies for many years. These airliners include the world's most popular wide-body aircraft, the Boeing 747.

Boeing 747 aircraft

The history of the Boeing 747 aircraft

February 9, 2019 This year marks exactly half a century since the day when the very first double-decker Boeing 747-100 took off. The idea of ​​​​creating a Boeing 747 aircraft, the number of passengers of which would reach 500 people, belongs to the head of Boeing, William Ellen, and the boss of the PanAm airline, Juan Tripp.

It was based on a project for a cargo aircraft for the US Air Force, a tender for which Boeing had lost to the winged giant Lockheed C-141 several years earlier. The team of project designers was led by talented engineer Joe Sutter. It was decided to design a cargo-passenger class aircraft with a cargo hatch under the cockpit.

This decision became a kind of insurance against losses in the competition that unfolded between apologists for subsonic passenger aviation and those who actively promoted a new direction - jet civil aircraft.

The first contract between PanAm and Boeing for the supply of 25 Boeing 747-100 aircraft with a total value of $5,525 million. was signed in the spring of 1966. The cost of building various modifications has been constantly increasing over the course of fifty years, as developers use advanced technologies and unique materials to improve the flight performance of the aircraft:

• Boeing 747-100 aircraft - $24 million;
• 747-200 - 38 million dollars;
• 747-300 - 82 million dollars;
• 747-400 - 260 million dollars;
• 747-8 - 379 million dollars.

Boeing released 747 series airliners by 2016

By December 2016, Boeing had produced 1,556 747 series aircraft in various modifications. 98% (1527 aircraft) have been contracted and handed over to customers for operation.

Aircraft are assembled at the world's largest aircraft manufacturing facility, the Boeing plant in Everett, Washington. The huge expenses spent on the development, commissioning, production and maintenance of the aircraft were generously paid off by the profits from the sale of the Boeing 747 to dozens of countries around the world.

The excellent performance characteristics of the 747 series aircraft, high reliability and efficiency allowed them to immediately and for a long time take leadership among long-haul airbuses in terms of the number of passengers carried.

The use of transparent aircraft leasing schemes allows airlines to compensate for their high selling price.

It is noteworthy that in Russia the Boeing 747 series was not operated by Aeroflot until 2015. Long-haul flights were carried out by Transaero.

Characteristics of the Boeing 747

The layout of the Boeing 747 (B747) is designed as a low-wing aircraft with one vertical fin and swept wings. The Boeing 747 engine is a dual-circuit turbofan (turban engine) attached to the wing using special pylons.

It is best to consider the tactical and technical characteristics of the aircraft by comparing the three most popular airliners - 747-100, 747-400ER and 747-8:

Boeing 100 series began regular commercial flights only at the end of 1970 due to defects in the design of the Pratt&Whitney JT9D-3A turbofan engine with a take-off thrust of 22,000 daN.

The cost of two years of refinement amounted to almost $200 million. The 747-100 series received the JT9D-7A powerplant, and the 747-200 received the JT9D-7R4G with a thrust of 224,700 daN. In total, 8 types of turbofan engines were used in various modifications of the aircraft:

The range of components and parts used to assemble the Boeing 747 consists of more than 6 million items.

They are produced in 33 countries around the world.

Boeing 747 modifications

The double-decker Boeing 747 underwent major modifications several times from 1970 to 2006. Various technical and commercial characteristics of the car have changed, but the appearance of the famous humpback is still easily recognizable.

• 747-100. Since September 2, 1968, 167 basic model aircraft with a flight range of up to 7,200 km have rolled off the Everett plant. Produced until 1976. Lufthansa was the first European airline to add aircraft of the 100th modification to its fleet. During operation, the upper deck of the aircraft became a first-class passenger cabin with 60 seats.

• 747-100SR (short range). Created under the Short Range program. On domestic airlines with a length of up to 5 thousand km, reducing the amount of fuel in the tanks made it possible to increase the cabin capacity of the Boeing 747 400 aircraft to 550 passengers. Several structural elements, the aircraft's avionics and the satellite communications system were redesigned. In the summer of 1973, the Boeing 747SR received ICAO certification. 29 units were produced.

• 747-100SP. The Special Performance modification was designed to compete with the Douglas DC-10 and Lockheed L-1011 on medium-haul lines. It has a shorter fuselage compared to the base model. The maximum aircraft load has been reduced to 220 seats. With a flight range of up to 10,200 km, it turned out to be very popular in the countries of the Pacific region. The series was limited to the construction of 45 vehicles.

• 747-200. The installation of more powerful engines made it possible to increase the flight range to 10,800 km (747-200V). Several varieties of this modification were built for the US Air Force. Utility-passenger models marked C, F and M were produced. With the start of production of more advanced modifications, almost all of them were converted into “trucks”.

• 747-300. Produced since 1980 with M and SR markings. For the first time, the length of the upper deck was increased. Instead of a spiral staircase, a straight staircase is installed between the upper and lower floors of the aircraft. Flight range - up to 12400 km.

• 747-400. It has been operating regularly since 1989. For the first time, a new aerodynamic element was used in the wing design - vertical wingtips. With the installation of new avionics, the need for a flight engineer in the crew was eliminated.

The 400's efficiency is a quarter higher than that of the 747-300, and the noise level is half that. The number of passengers on the Boeing 747-400D in Japan has reached 594 people. The 400ER modification airliner can cover a distance of 14,205 km.

• 747-LCF Dreamlifter. Wings for the ultra-modern Boeing 787 airliner are produced in Japanese factories. To deliver them to Everett, the 747-400 was converted into a cargo version - LCF. Thanks to the use of this aircraft, the delivery time for Dreamliner planes from Japan to the United States is reduced from one month to one day.

• 747-8. The most modern modification of the Boeing 747, whose performance characteristics are unique, has been in operation since 2010. The fuselage of the 747-400 transport aircraft was lengthened by 5.5 meters.

It is significantly more economical than older modifications thanks to the use of the GEnx power plant developed by General Electric specialists. The Boeing 747-8 order portfolio includes more than 120 aircraft. Actively used as a VIP liner.

Passenger capacity of Boeing 747-400 and other modifications

Three types of seats can be installed in the passenger cabin of the 747-400 - business class, first class and economy class. Seats of the most affordable price category are located in the compartments of the first floor. Video viewing systems are available.

The seats for first and business class passengers are located under the pilot's cabin or on the upper floor. The main conditions for the location of seats in these categories are maximum comfort, proximity to the service personnel compartment and convenience of evacuation routes. The layouts differ in the number of passengers:

Salon layout plans can be very different. First of all, it depends on the density of passenger traffic and the level of profitability of transportation. Here are the two most popular schemes:

• For maximum load. Over 90% of the seats are in economy class, which allows for maximum capacity on the Boeing 747 aircraft.

• To carry a large number of first class passengers. In this scheme, some seats can be equipped for business class.

Over 50 years of active operation, the liner has not become obsolete at all. Thanks to its unique double-deck design and high performance capabilities, the star of passenger aviation continues to fly around the world, performing its functions flawlessly. Even the wide-body giant of the 21st century, the Airbus A-380, can envy its fantastic popularity among passengers.

Jumbo Jet, also known as Boeing 747, is a four-engine, wide-body passenger aircraft with two decks for long-distance routes. The Boeing 747 remained the largest passenger aircraft for a long time until the Airbus A380 appeared.

Boeing 747 interior photo

The Boeing 747 program started in 1966. And in January 1970, the first aircraft began to arrive to commercial airlines. When designing a new aircraft, Boeing had to build a new construction hangar near Seattle so that the first model, the Boeing 747-100, could fit there.

-100, -200 and -300 series

The first modification, 747-100, has a length of about 70 meters and a height of 20 meters with a wingspan of 60 meters. Its weight was 162 tons. In order to cover a flight distance of about ten thousand kilometers, special engines were developed for it by Pratt and Whitney. Later, engines from General Electric and Rolls Royce began to be used. The 100th version includes an improved 747-100B model, as well as a short-range variant with a passenger capacity of up to 550 people - the 747-100SR (Short Range), designed specifically for short flights between the Japanese islands.

Boeing 747 photo

The “200th” series received a higher initial weight and a longer flight range. In the 747-200B version it is 10,800 kilometers. An undoubted advantage was the ability to easily adapt passenger aircraft into cargo (747-200F), as well as combined (747-200C, 747-200M). And the -200C variant has undergone further improvements in terms of cargo transportation. One of these improvements was the folding nose. In 1983, the Boeing 747-300 took to the skies. Ego's main characteristics have been increased. The flight range was now 12,300 kilometers. The upper deck was expanded. And consequently the number of passenger seats has increased. The series also includes cargo-passenger variants - 747-300M and 747-300SR, intended, like the -200SR, for domestic flights in Japan.

Boeing 747 interior diagram

The most successful versions of the 747-400 and the new 747-8

The 747-400 boasts of being Boeing's best-selling aircraft. It was put into operation in 1989. Compared to the 747-300, it has an improved wing, more powerful engines, and improved interior quality. The 747-400 reaches a maximum flight range of 13.5 thousand kilometers without stopping for refueling and can fly at speeds of up to 913 kilometers per hour. The decks of the “four hundredth” can accommodate up to 524 passengers. A cargo version of the airliner was also released, model 747-400F, combined, model 747-400M, for short flights - 747-400D and version 747-400ER for longer flights. Production of the Boeing 747-400 ended in December 2009, with the introduction of the new Boeing 747-8, which first flew in February 2010. Two versions of the aircraft are presented, the passenger 747-8I and the cargo 747-8F. Both models feature new, energy-efficient GE engines for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

The modified Boeing 747 of the American president is capable of speeds of up to 1000 km per hour. Thanks to its excellent technical characteristics, it is called the “plane of the Apocalypse”.

Characteristics of the Boeing 747-400ER:

• Length: 70.6 m.
• Height: 19.4 m.
• Wingspan: 64.4 m.
• Wing area: 541 sq.m.
• Empty weight: 180.8 tons
• Fuselage diameter: 6.5 m.
• Maximum speed: 988 km/h.
• Flight range: 14200 km.
• Number of passenger seats: 416-524 seats
• Crew: 2 people

Boeing 747. Gallery.