Why Pilots love flying the 747

Never flew the 747. A very well written article. One thing though is that you can maintain a type rating if you stay current on it which many will not do for various reasons. For some it will depend on the job. I flew a 707 and then that went away, giving place to
a 757, which I flew for 29 years. As it went away, I went to a 767, but they carried a dual type rating. But, besides that I stayed current on a King Air and got current on a CRJ 200 as well, and a couple others for awhile. I personally feel about the 757 as this author did about the 747. A high stepping lady.

757 is my favorite...flew the 747s both -200 and -400 version..great plane, flew the DC-10, my generations DC-3 the 727, A320 and A330...couldn't wait to get off them, like flying a computer game complete with control stick. 767 was fun but didn't feel as sporty as the 757. The 757 and the P-3 were equals in maneuverability, lots of power, and just a great solid feeling underneath you. There REALLY is something about a Boeing that makes you feel your are in a pilots plane.

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeings-747-boosted-by-jumbo-order-from-russian-cargo-airline/

Another beautifully written and evocative excerpt from 'Skyfaring' the book by Speedbird FO, Mark Vanhoenacker... - the book is out now incidentally.

i love this legendary classic aircraft and have flown on many series 100-200-300-400 completely safe but sad they are dissapearing from our skies the real Queen of the skies.

When the 747 was new, it was town news that it would be at KSJC. It had a short fuselage was really stout and stocky quite a site. When passing by KSFO, its still satisfying to see one of those, larger and grown up, magnificent birds.

It's such a shame that fuel prices and the efficiency of the 777 practically killed the 747. But we do have a few 747-8i for a few more years.

As a passenger, the 747 is my choice. Flying in heavy weather on those big birds is a feeling of comfort. NRT to SIN in December is always an adventure with the high headwinds. On one flight in 2012 had a ground speed of less than 300 kph at 41000. The head wind was being displayed at 150+ kph. The 747 was rock solid. Did the same flight on a 772er in 2014 and was bounced around to the point the flight attendants buckled up with the shoulder straps.