A Delta plane getting boarded by the Seahawks as they head to Phoenix for the Super Bowl
Sunday morning in Seattle, people should be drinking their morning coffee, reading a paper (or this site, obviously) or going for a morning run. But when the Seahawks are headed for the Super Bowl, the city takes on a different vibe. Streets are lined with people along the drive from the team’s offices and training facility at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center (VMAC) in Renton, to SeaTac for their journey to Phoenix.
The airport was surrounded by fans, family, and friends of airport staff who were plane-side to wave farewell. But their departure leads to a bigger, more important, question for AvGeeks: who, and what, were they flying?
The Seahawks 747 flies over Seattle – Photo: Boeing
You might have heard that the Seahawks won the Super Bowl and that Seattle is pretty happy about it! To join in on the celebration, Boeing flew the Spirit of the 12s, their 747-8F that is painted in a special Seahawks livery over the festivities. Of course, we wanted to share the photos…
The Spirit of 12s Boeing 747-8 Freighter taking off at Paine Field – Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter
The Spirit of the 12s Boeing 747-8F has been pretty popular, especially by tracing a 12 using their flight path. Tomorrow, Saturday the 1st from 11am to 1pm, it will be on the ground next to the The Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour where you take photos and cheer on the Seahawks.
There will be a special Seahawks rally that starts at noon (arriving by 11:30am is suggested) and then fans will be able to file past the specially-painted 747-8F and take photos. Admission to the rally and taking photos are free. If you like the Seahawks and you like airplanes, this might be your thing.
A special flight path for a special plane – Image: FlightAware.com
The left-hand side of the freshly-unveiled Seattle Seahawks Boeing 747-8F – Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter.com
To those of us in the Seattle area, it comes as no surprise that everyone has been pretty excited that the Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl.
The right side of the Boeing Seahawks aircraft – Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter
Boeing, being one of the largest corporate sponsors of the Seahawks, has decided to join in. How they showed their support is exceptional.
It started with a surprise email from the Boeing media department this morning asking if we could attend an event at 2:00pm today. We could, and it ended with the reveal. We would have been on the ramp longer, but unfortunately, it was not only pouring rain but also deceptively cold.
The Seahawks aircraft grand reveal from Building 45-01 – Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter
Since I haven’t much to say – other than that I am in awe of the amazing effort undertaken and speed with which Boeing was able to get this top secret project completed – allow me to share some Seahawks-related 747-8 facts straight from Boeing.
The loudest Seahawks game is 38 times louder than the 747-8 is on departure. I know it may not seem that way numerically, but sound pressure is a logarithmic measurement.
Nothing like having a special scheme elevator hanging over your head Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter
Also, I am told that a 747-8F can carry roughly 121 million individual Skittles candies (if that makes no sense, it’s explained here). This is a sight I would love to partake in at some point.
For reference, N770BA used to look like this:
N770BA prior to its new role – Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter
If you were wondering, this aircraft will be flying around the Seattle Area as a part of its test program. This aircraft, despite its stunning new livery, is still part of the Boeing test fleet. Of all the aircraft to paint, this one makes the most sense. No angry customers, and the opportunity to play with a blank canvas. It may just so happen that while the aircraft is painted like this, and prior to the Super Bowl- that this test routine will have some deviations from the norms. For example, do not be surprised if one of the tests Boeing performs over the next few days is “How does it look near the Space Needle?”.
