9 February 1969 the maiden flight of the Boeing 747
Compiled by Joppie Nieman
15.02.2025
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8 February 1969; 56 years ago, on this day the world witnessed the maiden flight of the Boeing 747, the legendary aircraft that would revolutionize air travel. The massive airliner, nicknamed the "Jumbo Jet," took off from Paine Field Airport in Everett, Washington, marking the beginning of a new era in aviation.
This first-ever 747 test flight lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes, with the aircraft reaching an altitude of 15,500 feet (4,700 m) and a speed of 250 mph (402 km/h) before safely landing back at Paine Field. The flight crew consisted of: Jack Waddell - Chief Test Pilot, Brien Wygle - Co-Pilot and Jesse Wallick - Flight Engineer.
Paine Field was chosen for this historic event for several reasons: It was the home of the 747 - Boeing built a brand-new factory at Paine Field in Everett specifically for the 747. It's long runway - The airport had a long enough runway to accommodate the largest airliner ever built at the time and its controlled cirspace - Unlike Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Paine Field had less congestion, making it ideal for test flights.
The aircraft used for this historic flight was named "City of Everett," in honor of the town where it was built.
Did you know that every single Boeing 747 was built in Everett, Washington? From the first prototype in 1969 to the final aircraft in 2023, the Boeing Everett Factory remained the exclusive production site for the Jumbo Jet.
Although 747 production ended in 2023, the Boeing Everett Factory is still a hub of aerospace innovation. Today, it produces: Boeing 767 (cargo & military tankers), Boeing 777 (long-haul twin-engine airliner) and Boeing's 787 Dreamliner (advanced fuel-efficient jet)
Meanwhile, Paine Field Airport remains active for: Boeing test flights & aircraft deliveries, passenger flights (Alaska Airlines, United Airlines) and aircraft maintenance & aerospace operations.
The Boeing 747 transformed global travel by making long-haul flights more affordable and accessible. With its distinctive hump-backed design and unparalleled passenger capacity, it became an icon of aviation history. Though it has now retired from production, the Jumbo Jet's legacy lives on in the skies.
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