A Boeing 747-400 LCF (aka Dreamlifter) at Paine Field. Image: Bernie Leighton.
The Boeing 747-400 is already a large plane. When converted into a Dreamlifter, it only gets bigger. But this amazing aerial photo of N747BC, one of the four Dreamlifters built, makes it look a bit small.
![This is the only Hamilton H-47 [first flown in 1928] in the world left flying. It was caught taking off from Paine Field with a Dreamlifter and 787 Dreamliner in the background.](https://www.airlinereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/PaineField1.jpg)
This is the only Hamilton H-47 [first flown in 1928] in the world left flying (reg NC-879H). It was caught taking off from Paine Field with a Dreamlifter and 787 Dreamliner in the background.
Admission to the yearly event is only $10 and gives visitors access to the Historic Flight Foundation, the Flying Heritage Collection, lots of airplanes on the ground, and as many other awesome activities and fly-bys as one can handle.
Although there were many scheduled flights that were entertaining, as more of an airline guy, I found the standard Boeing movements just as great. Continue reading below to see some of the photos of the day, including a Boeing 747-8I, Antonov AN-124, a few Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and more.
A Dreamlifter (N7808A) lands at Paine Field with an Antonov AN-124 on the ground. Photo by Malcolm Muir.
This Saturday, before Paine Field Aviation Day started, a Boeing 747 Dreamlifter lands while an Antonov AN-124 sits on the taxiway. Yes please.
At 2:15pm on Tuesday 12th March, Boeing 747 Dreamlifter N718BA (operated by Atlas Air) took off from Paine Field heading towards Nagoya, Japan for a scheduled pick up of structures and assemblies for the 787 program. Shortly after departure during the climb out process, the Dreamlifter declared an emergency.
N718BA lands at Paine Field in Everett (not on the day in question) – Photo Mal Muir.
Doug Alder with Boeing communications told AirlineReporter.com, “Shortly after leaving Everett on a routine flight to Nagoya, Japan, the crew of a Boeing Dreamlifter received an indication of a potential problem with the hydraulic system. The crew made a decision to return to Paine Field in Everett. Following standard procedures, the crew dumped fuel to reach maximum landing weight.”
As you can see from the Flightaware logs there was a number of circuits done over the Puget Sound area while the aircraft was dumping fuel and then once at the safe landing weight, the Dreamlifter returned to Everett.
At Paine Field the Dreamlifter made a low pass so that Boeing & Paine Field staff could verify the landing gear had been properly deployed. Once verified the Dreamlifter went back around again and landed safely. After landing the aircraft started undergoing a safety inspection by Boeing.
The Dreamlifter landed safely on the ground, no one hurt or injured. Boeing confirmed that this is not the first time the Dreamlifter had to land prematurely. There have been other events like bird strikes or a cracked windscreen, which are seen in standard flight operations.
Just bad timing that a Dreamlifter had to make an emergency landing when the 787 Dreamliner just got word that it could start flying again.
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This story written by…Malcolm Muir, Lead Correspondent. Mal is an Australian Avgeek now living and working in Seattle. With a passion for aircraft photography, traveling and the fun that combining the two can bring. Insights into the aviation world with a bit of a perspective thanks to working in the travel industry.@BigMalX | BigMal’s World | Photos |
Taken during a 2011 Family Day. Photo by Boeing. Click for larger.
Looking at high-resolution photographs of airlines is always a pleasant experience. Being able to capture people and an emotion is something else with an airliner. I think this photo really captures the essence of the enjoyment of flight. From Boeing’s Flickr page:
Boeing photographer Eric Shindelbower took this photo during a family day at the Boeing Huntsville facility. This image reminds us that aviation remains full of wonder and magic, and it just might be the cutest image we’ve ever released. We hope you agree, and we invite you to tell us what you think and to share this image with others.