Boeing 747 from the Flight Deck

The final 747—a 747-8 model—left the production line for its inaugural flight on February 1 this year. The crew traced a unique pattern in the sky: a queen’s crown underlaid by the numbers “7-4-7.”

Julie Boatman

Friday, November 17, 2023 at 02:17 PM ET

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The Boeing 747-400 freighter in final assembly in the Everett Factory. [Courtesy of Boeing] K63934

Key Takeaways:

The article highlights the deep admiration and emotional connection pilots, including current Boeing test pilots, have for the iconic 747, celebrating its enduring legacy even after the final production unit's departure.
Pilots describe the 747 as a "gentle giant" renowned for its surprisingly benign handling characteristics, maneuverability, and reliable performance, even during challenging test flight scenarios.
The 747 is expected to remain in active service for decades with ongoing engineering improvements, while the article also reminisces about the crucial, hands-on role of flight engineers on its earlier models.

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Pilots have long held a deep connection to the airplane that Joe Sutter and his team built. I for one devoured the legendary engineer’s book, 747: Creating the World’s First Jumbo Jet and Other Adventures, and witnessed from afar the genius woven into that airplane. I would have loved to have talked with Sutter, or Jack Waddell, Boeing’s chief test pilot who took the first 747 on its initial flight on February 9, 1969.