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 commemorates the Boeing 747 following the delivery of its final production unit, highlighting its enduring legacy and the deep connection pilots and engineers have with the aircraft.
Boeing test pilots Curt Gottshall and Kirk Vining share insights into the 747's surprisingly gentle handling characteristics and maneuverability, even for its massive size, which allowed it to perform well in various flight scenarios.
Despite the end of production, the 747 program continues with ongoing improvements and is expected to remain in service for decades, with the article also acknowledging the historical importance of flight engineers to its operations.

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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.