The idea for the 747SP came from a joint request between Pan American World Airways and Iran Air who were looking for a high capacity airliner with enough range to cover Pan Am's New York-Middle Eastern routes and Iran Air's planned Tehran-New York route. The Tehran-New York route when launched was the longest nonstop commercial flight in the world. The 747SP is 48 feet 4 inches (14.7 m) shorter than the 747-100. Except for the 747-8, the SP is the only 747 with a fuselage of modified length. Fuselage sections were eliminated fore and aft of the wing, and the centre section of the fuselage was redesigned. Single-slotted flaps replaced the complex triple-slotted Fowler flaps of the 100 series. The under-wing "canoes", which housed the flap mechanisms on full-size 747s, were eliminated entirely on the SP. The 747SP, compared to earlier variants, had a tapering of the aft upper fuselage into the empennage, a double-hinged rudder, and longer vertical and horizontal stabilisers.
The Boeing 747SP was granted a supplemental certificate on 4 February 1976 and entered service with Pan American, the launch customer and Iran Air, that same year. The aircraft was chosen by airlines wishing to serve major airports with short runways.
A total of 45 747SPs were built. The 44th 747SP was delivered on 30 August 1982. Boeing re-opened the 747SP production line to build one last 747SP five years later in 1987 for an order by the United Arab Emirates government. As of August 2007, 17 Boeing 747SP aircraft were in service with Iran Air (3), Saudi Arabian Airlines, Syrian Arab Airlines (2) and as executive versions. NASA's Dryden Flight Research Centre has one modified for the SOFIA experiment, aka a flying observatory designed to circumvent the problem of the atmosphere and clouds affecting ground based observatories. The SOFIA 747SP was retired in 2022.
A total of 45 747SPs were built. The 44th 747SP was delivered on 30 August 1982. Boeing re-opened the 747SP production line to build one last 747SP five years later in 1987 for an order by the United Arab Emirates government. As of August 2007, 17 Boeing 747SP aircraft were in service with Iran Air (3), Saudi Arabian Airlines, Syrian Arab Airlines (2) and as executive versions. NASA's Dryden Flight Research Centre has one modified for the SOFIA experiment, aka a flying observatory designed to circumvent the problem of the atmosphere and clouds affecting ground based observatories. The SOFIA 747SP was retired in 2022.
by why are russian girls so cute November 3, 2025
Get the Boeing 747SPmug. boe is a word by The all mighty god JayMan it can be used to say hello to a friend or someone u dont know
by God JayMan December 2, 2020
Get the boemug. A rare disease only contracted by Boeing whistleblowers which cause a myriad of symptoms including an extreme urge to commit suicide, as well as contracting other diseases. These symptoms usually lead to the subsequent death of the victim.
"Bob contracted Boeing Whistleblowia and decided to smoke 50 blunts, lay down on some railroad tracks and shoot himself in the back of the head."
by UltCourier May 2, 2024
Get the Boeing Whistleblowiamug. Guy 1: My company doesn’t appreciate anyone. Its like I work at Airbus.
Guy 2: Too bad. I have a great job, our company is known as a Boeing.
Guy 2: Too bad. I have a great job, our company is known as a Boeing.
by Nte24 May 21, 2024
Get the Boeingmug. Boe is another word for Bruh. Mostly used in southern areas as where I live maybe outside of it as well.
by Anorangepeel November 22, 2023
Get the Boemug.