Aerospace

Air India’s Maharaja’retires’ his ‘queens of the skies’ after 51 years.

The legendary Boeing 747 will be retired from the Air India fleet. It is one of Boeing’s first largest aeroplanes. From April 1971 to April 2022, Air India flew Boeing 747s for more than 51 years. Three of the four 747s were operating. The last time it was seen was during the covid for evacuating passengers from Wuhan, China.

It had 12 first-class seats, 26 business-class seats, and 385 economy-class seats were available on Air India. It has a maximum take-off weight of 377.8 tonnes and was powered by four Pratt & Whitney engines.

Boeing 747s are currently operated by Lufthansa and Korean Air. The e-registration of these planes is a sad day in aviation. This aircraft was the largest, fastest, and heaviest ever flown by an Indian carrier. None of the pilots who have flown a Boeing 747 have indicated it is a bad plane. The title of “Queen of the Skies” has stuck with her. Air India had a fleet of roughly 20 Boeing 747s, some of which were leased.

According to the latest reports, Air India’s legendary Boeing 747s may have finally reached the end of their service after more than half a century of flying the tricolour across foreign skies. It was also known for the Maharaja Brand. The airline’s website was recently updated by the Tata Group, and the jumbo planes are no longer listed as part of the fleet. Because the majority of airlines revamp fleets by the years. The Maharaja’s final four queens of the skies were deregistered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in April.

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As the aircraft fleet ages, it becomes more difficult for airlines to keep them functioning. Only when 80 percent of the seats on a jumbo aircraft are filled can it be profitable, albeit given their age, scarcity of spares, cabin quality, and, most crucially, the investment necessary, it remains to be seen if that happens.

In 1971, the airline received its first jumbo jet, the Emperor Ashoka. AI, under the leadership of JRD Tata, had set new standards for in-flight luxury with the 747s. For this aircraft, it has created a special “Palace in the Sky” livery. When JRD himself introduced the attractively adorned staircase to the top deck, jharokha flight panels, dewans, and bar onboard these gorgeous machines in the 1970s, they were much ahead of their time.

The president, vice president, and prime minister were all flown aboard B747s on medium to long-haul overseas travels. They couldn’t go directly to the Americas, so they had to stop in Europe, especially Frankfurt. Then India received two state-of-the-art Boeing 777s, which, unlike the jumbos that previously served both VVIP and normal flights, will be dedicated to dignitaries and can fly nonstop to and from practically any location on the earth. When the VVIP duty ended, the four-engine double deckers were no longer in demand, especially as fuel prices began to climb.

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These planes are listed as part of AI’s fleet on the newly updated website: single aisle Airbus A320 family (319, 320, and 321) and wide body B777 and B787s. AI could be the only commercial airline in India to fly four-engine aircraft.

According to recent reports, Tata Group is considering merging with Vistara and plans to deploy Boeing Triple 7 and 7 8 7 aircraft for long-haul flights.

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However, given that this aircraft has carried India’s aviation history since 1971, saying goodbye is difficult for any aviation lover.

Have you ever flown these planes? Tell us about your favourite moment with Air India in the comments section.

End of Queen of the Skies production, Boeing 747

Boeing 747 jet clocked up just 42 hours in the sky is scrapped

Aerospace

Boeing Transfers Rocket Stage to NASA, Paving Way for Human Moon Mission

Image:Boeing

Boeing has achieved a significant milestone by providing NASA with the second core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

This crucial component, crafted at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), is set to propel the Artemis II crew into lunar orbit, marking humanity’s return to deep space after a 50-year hiatus.

The monumental Boeing-built rocket stage, the largest element of the Artemis II mission, will embark on a journey aboard the Pegasus barge, traveling 900 miles to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

Comparison of two legendary aircraft B777x vs B747 aircraft:Click here

Upon arrival, it will be meticulously integrated with other essential Artemis II components, including the upper stage, solid rocket boosters, and NASA’s Orion spacecraft within the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building. This intricate integration process is a vital step toward the eagerly anticipated Artemis II launch, slated for 2025.

“Boeing-built products helped land humankind on the moon in 1969, and we’re proud to continue that legacy through the Artemis generation,” remarked Dave Dutcher, vice president and program manager for Boeing’s SLS program. “Together, with NASA and our industry partners and suppliers, we are building the world’s most capable rocket and paving the way to deep space through America’s rocket factory in New Orleans.”

NASA, Lockheed Martin Reveal X-59 Quiet Supersonic Aircraft:Click here

The delivery of Core Stage 2 marks a significant achievement in the evolution of the SLS rocket. Towering over 200 feet and powered by four RS-25 engines, this core stage, coupled with two solid-fueled booster rockets, will generate a staggering 8.8 million pounds of thrust. This immense power is crucial to launching Artemis II and future missions into the vast expanse of space.

The SLS rocket stands unparalleled in its capability to transport both crew and substantial cargo to the moon and beyond in a single launch. Its extraordinary capacity will facilitate the delivery of human-rated spacecraft, habitats, and scientific missions to destinations including the moon and Mars, ushering in a new era of space exploration.