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Boeing 747 Dreamlifter

2007 MODERN AIRCRAFT

The History of the Boeing 747 Dreamlifter

Just as Airbus uses its A300-600ST Beluga heavy lift trucks to transport very large loads for the companys various large aircraft programs, Boeing also makes a difference through its Dreamlifter services and capabilities. This large aircraft is a heavily modified 747-400 passenger transport aircraft with a thicker fuselage designed, developed and built to serve the 787 "Dreamliner" product line. A total of four Dreamlifter aircraft were retrofitted and made their first flight on September 9, 2006.

It was launched in 2007 and is still flying today (2017).

The Dreamlifter model was designed by Boeing to reduce the time it takes to transport oversized critical components from overseas locations such as Japan. The company then commissioned three modified (using) 747 "Jumbo Jets" as the primary ferry aircraft for these components, resulting in an entirely new product. Technical assistance was sought from outside parties in distant countries such as Russia and Spain, and the first reconstruction was carried out in 2006.

While the fleet initially consisted of three aircraft, a fourth aircraft was added in 2010 to further facilitate the transportation of these large components. The animal appeared at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport in August 2006 and made its maiden flight the following month.

At first glance, the Dreamlifter is a jumbo jet nightmare. It retains all the features of the earlier 747, as well as its main wing planes, empennage, landing gear and nose section, but contains an oversized fuselage section that extends from the tail of the flight deck to the vertical bottom. caudal fin.

The rear of the aircraft is open to port, allowing unimpeded access to the entire cargo hold from the rear. The front of the aircraft has conventional crew aisles and smaller cargo through conventional side-mounted doors.

As designed, the aircraft has an overall length of 70.7 feet, a wingspan of 211.4 feet, and a height of 70.7 feet. It has a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 803,000 pounds, and the aircraft can fly at 475 knots to a range of 4,200 nautical miles. Power comes from four Pratt & Whitney PW062 turbofan engines, each rated at 63,300 pounds of thrust.

Base operations staff consist of two to three personnel, but more can be added as needed for each mission.

The investment paid off for the company as Dreamlifter completed its plans. Its cargo area can store up to 250,000 pounds of cargo through its 65,000 cubic feet of cargo space.

It has the same wingspan as the 747-400 model, as well as the range required to bring the components to Boeing facilities in the northwestern United States.

In a well-publicized mistake, a Dreamlifter plane accidentally landed on a small general aviation aircraft (Colonel James Jabala Field) in Wichita, Kansas. The next day, it managed to take off from within the confines of the site to its original destination, McConnell Air Force Base.